For Immediate Release:
December 31, 2009
County, Upper Freehold address Sharon Station Road
Boulevard-style design to feature landscaped, grass median
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(Left to right) Clerk to the Board of Chosen Freeholders James S. Gray witnessed Freeholder Director Barbara J. McMorrow sign an agreement with Upper Freehold Twp. Mayor Stephen J. Alexander to swap roads in the township that will make way for improvements to Sharon Station Rd. Upper Freehold Twp. Clerk Barbara Bascom (far right) witnessed the signing for the township.
FREEHOLD, NJ – Freeholder Director Barbara J. McMorrow and Upper Freehold Township Mayor Stephen J. Alexander signed an agreement today that clears the way for improvements to be made to a section of Sharon Station Road in Upper Freehold.
The agreement entails Monmouth County assuming jurisdiction and providing for improvements, maintenance and control along 1½ miles of Sharon Station Road. In exchange, Upper Freehold will assume jurisdiction for about 1½ miles of County Route 43 (Davis Station Road) and County Route 27 (Burlington Path).
“This is an example of how the county will work with municipalities in a way that truly benefits our residents,” McMorrow said. “The people of Upper Freehold have waited a long time for this project to come to fruition and I think they will be happy with the results. The plan is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it will promote safety along that particular stretch of roadway.”
“We are pleased that this project is as important to Monmouth County as it is to those of us who live in Upper Freehold and travel along Sharon Station Road,” Alexander said. “We are excited about the project and look forward to its completion. We have always felt that if the road was in better condition it will reduce the noise and make it safer for people in the neighborhood.”
The county’s jurisdiction of Sharon Station Road extends from County Route 526 (Allentown-Red Valley Rd.) to County Route 539 (Trenton-Forked River Road). Upper Freehold’s jurisdiction includes Davis Station Road between Trenton-Forked River Road (County Route 539) and the Jersey Central Power and Light right of way, and Burlington Path between Trenton-Forked River Road (County Route 539) and Meirs Road.
The design of the Sharon Station Road improvements will be included in the county’s 2010 Capital Improvement Plan.
The county has agreed to advance a design and reconstruction of Sharon Station Road with a boulevard-style concept, which will incorporate a roadway corridor section consisting of one 12-foot travel lane and one eight-foot shoulder in each direction. The improvements also include a landscaped, grass center median and dedicated left-turn lanes or access at local streets.
The project also will include expansion and replacement of three, small county bridges along Sharon Station Road.
Upper Freehold Township Clerk Barbara L. Bascom said she had set two goals to achieve before she retires. One was for the township to preserve 10,000 acres, and the second was for the county to assume ownership of Sharon Station Road.
“I’ll be retiring next week,” Bascom said. “We have preserved almost 10,000 acres, and now the county will take jurisdiction of Sharon Station Road. I consider both goals have been met.”
Both Alexander and McMorrow praised the work of County Engineer Joseph Ettore, who has kept the project moving for a number of years. The county engineer’s office designed the boulevard concept that has been accepted by Upper Freeholder.
“He is a consummate professional,” McMorrow said. “I want to commend him for working on this project for so long and keeping it in the forefront of our discussions.”
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