FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Joseph M. DiBella, Mayor

1-732-938-4500

April 23, 2006

Road Improvements for 2006

I am pleased to report that the Township has finalized the list of roadways for repair and re-paving this year. As you know road repairs and rehabilitation is a major priority of the municipality as we hope to overcome years of neglect that have led to a dilapidated road system in most of the Township. The 2006 plan is a continuation of our ambitious roadway improvement program that was started a few years back. Today we select roads to be repaired using a methodical engineering study that grades every roadway using a worst to best status. Listed below are the roadways that will be addressed this year:

·        Arnold Boulevard

·        Brook Road

·        Crow Hill Road

·        East Street

·        Hilltop Road

·        Fort Plains Road

·        Lanes Pond Road

·        Lanes Mill Road

·        Locust Avenue (the remaining since portions were paved last year)

·        Miller Road

·        Old Tavern Road

·        Redwood Road

·        Salem Hill Road

·        Southard Avenue

·        Strickland Road

·        West Farms Road

·        Yellowbrook Road

In most cases we’ll be addressing major portions of these roadways. In some cases, it will be the entire road. In total, the paving and road work to be done will encompass 84,461 linear feet of roads and will cost in excess of $2.5 million to complete. All of the work is publicly bid and by State law is awarded to firms with the capabilities to perform the work and who submitted the lowest bid. Work is expected to being later this spring once the temperature becomes more stable and conductive to pouring the asphalt.

In total, the township has responsibility to maintain and manage in excess of 150 miles of roadway. Some of the roads in our community are the responsibility of the County and the State of NJ. In those instances, it is these agencies that must handle their maintenance and up-keep.

I am proud of the fact that we have made fixing and maintaining our roads a major priority. In fact, in the past 3 years alone, we have paved and repaired more roadways in Howell than were handled in the preceding decade. Much work is still to be done and I will continue to argue for a greater allocation of budgetary resources for road way maintenance. Please be assured that these roads were selected based solely on engineering studies and the recommendations of the Townships engineering department.

The funds being used to pay for these road repairs were earmarked in 2005. The budget we are working on now will determine what roads get paved next year. I’ll keep you abreast of the final 2006 budget for road work and please know I realize the extent of work that needs to be done. If you have any questions or comments with the plan, please call or email me at MayorDiBella@twp.howell.nj.us. Thank you.

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