Friday, August 12, 2005

Levinson Outlines Highway Improvements for Galloway

County Executive Dennis Levinson has announced major infrastructure improvements for Galloway Township following the recent $873,000 contract award for the reconstruction of Pitney Road between Hobart Avenue in Absecon and Ridgewood Avenue in Galloway, the first of several projects designed to address the township's accelerated growth.

Levinson outlined three successive roadway improvement projects that will bring some temporary inconvenience to residents but will ultimately enhance traffic flow and safety and result in an improved quality of life.

The Pitney Road project, for which a contract was awarded on July 12, 2005, is the first step in extending the recent improvements completed by the New Jersey Department of Transportation at the five points intersection through the intersection with Great Creek Avenue toward the northern portions of the township. According to the county executive, the initial project is expected to last two months.

"As this project nears completion, we will begin the construction of a full service intersection at Pitney Road and Greek Creek Avenue," stated Levinson. "And as that three-month project winds down, we will 'connect the dots' with improvements between Great Creek and Ridgewood Avenue, including specific upgrades at Jimmie Leeds Road to improve pedestrian and vehicular movement."

Levinson explained that with the support of Galloway Township officials and businesses, they have sought to minimize the inconvenience to the public, given the broad scope of these improvements.

"We waited to wrap up the Duerer Street project (from Philadelphia Avenue to Cologne Avenue) and the Parkway overpass extensions on Jimmie Leeds Road before we started anything else. We are conscious of the need to phase in these multiple improvements. You can not have detours running into detours," he said. "People must be able to travel to work and get their children to school. These projects are part of a carefully planned highway improvement program."

Galloway officials said they support the county's common sense approach and prompt attention in addressing Galloway's needs.

For more information, please contact Howard J. Kyle, Chief of Staff, at (609) 343-2223.

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