PRESIDENT ’ S VIEW
DOT Road Work Paves Way For Growth
By Anthony Russo President , CIANJ
We are pointing a spotlight on transportation in this month ’ s issue because we recognize an efficient , well-maintained transportation network is essential to the lifeblood of every region , state , and nation on the globe .
At CIANJ , we are all about strengthening our economy to help business flourish and grow to provide the goods , services and jobs that support our communities and make New Jersey a great place to live and work . In our feature story on NJ Transit , CEO Kevin S . Corbett said it best when he explained that transportation is the “ underpinning of the economy ” and no one understands it better than New Jersey .
The Garden State became the first in the nation to establish a state transportation agency when it created the Department of Transportation in 1966 . It evolved from the New Jersey State Highway Department that was formed in 1920 with a much more limited scope . The new department ’ s mission was to operate , develop and maintain all state public roads , including interstate , state and federal highways – totaling more than 2,300 miles .
Diane Gutierrez Scaccetti now serves as the 19th commissioner of the state DOT . A native of New Jersey , she brings more than 30 years of experience in the industry . Her responsibilities include serving as chair of the board of NJ Transit , which is responsible for 252 bus routes , three light rail lines , 12 commuter rail lines , as well as a paratransit system that serves elderly residents and people with disabilities .
Every day NJDOT and NJ Transit are working on projects throughout the state designed to improve and maintain our roads , bridges , railways , and bus stations to make certain our residents can easily travel in their communities , workers can get to their jobs and goods are transported to where they are needed .
Many times , these projects are greatly anticipated for upgrades they promise . For instance , one of the latest contracts NJDOT awarded will reconstruct a seven-mile stretch of Route 9 from Indian Head Road in Toms Rivers to Central Avenue / Hurley Avenue in Lakewood .
The $ 48.5 million project was designed to ease congestion . Eight signalized intersections will
be widened along the project route and two new signals will be added at the intersections of Oak Street and Chateau Drive / Broadway . Left turn lanes will also be added at seven intersections .
The overhaul is designed to improve the safety and performance of the intersections . Officials expects the travel time on the route will be cut by 33 percent during peak hours once the work is completed .
It will be good news for the area especially since Toms River Mayor Maurice B . “ Mo ” Hill , Jr ., has told the CIANJ that his town is “ poised for growth .”
The Ocean County work will also accommodate bicyclists and increase pedestrian safety by adding two miles of new sidewalk and additional shoulder to Route 9 . It will also reconstruction another 5.9 miles of sidewalk , replace curbs and install ramps for people with disabilities .
Guardrails will be upgraded along the route to meet current standards and four detention basins will be created to manage stormwater .
Earle Asphalt Co ., a member of CIANJ , was awarded the contract in late May . Construction is expected to begin soon and it will be completed in about three years .
DOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez Scaccetti
Upgrades and repairs to Ocean County roads will help Toms River , and the rest of NJ , prosper .
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / i-Stockr
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