By Mark Rosman
Staff Writer
UPPER FREEHOLD – An archeological study will have to be completed before a long-planned road project can advance in Upper Freehold Township.
The archeological study will add almost $60,000 to the engineering costs associated with planned road improvements for Sharon Station Road (county Route 539A) from county Route 539 (Allentown-Davis Station Road) to county Route 526 (Allentown-Red Valley Road) and the reconstruction of three bridges in the municipality, according to a resolution passed by the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders.
The archeological study is required as a condition of a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection permit dated Jan. 30, 2017, and a condition of approval set by the state Historic Preservation Office, according to the resolution.
The freeholders have previously authorized the appropriation of $804,932 to Cherry, Weber and Associates, Freehold Township, for professional engineering services associated with the road and bridge improvements. Those approvals were dated May 2010 and January 2015.
The need for a Phase II archeological study was not anticipated or included in Cherry, Weber and Associates’ scope of work, according to the resolution.
On March 9, the freeholders authorized the appropriation of $58,167 to be paid to Cherry, Weber and Associates for additional engineering services, including cultural resources consulting services to be provided by a sub-consultant, Paulus, Sokolowski and Sartor, in connection with the archeological study, according to the resolution.
The freeholders said the county engineer reviewed the firms’ proposals and recommended the appropriation of the additional funds. The revised maximum authorized expenditure for Cherry, Weber and Associates is now $863,099.
According to the county, the Sharon Station Road project is a result of the county’s takeover of jurisdiction of the road and concerns regarding the operational safety of the road, based on existing geometrics, crash history, existing and anticipated increased vehicular volumes, limited sight distances and planned development along its length and associated access.
The project also includes reconstruction of Monmouth County bridges U-34, U-35 and U-94 which carries Sharon Station Road over the main branch of Doctors Creek (U-34) and tributaries to Doctors Creek (U-35 & U-94).
In a related matter, county officials are accepting public comment regarding land use-related improvements planned for Sharon Station Road.
“The county has filed a request with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres program proposing a diversion of land at Crosswicks Creek Park in connection with a local road and bridge improvement project,” said Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone. “The land will be replaced in another section of the park to ensure the area is made whole following completion of the effort.”
The proposed plan will divert 0.851 acres at Crosswicks Creek Park along Sharon Station Road to make room for improvements to approximately 1.5 miles of Sharon Station Road from the intersection with Allentown-Red Valley Road to the north, to the intersection with Allentown-Davis Station Road to the south, according to a press release from the county.
As part of this reconstruction project, three county bridges will be replaced. The plan includes adding 1.162 acres back to Crosswicks Creek Park as compensation for this diversion, according to the county.
“Crosswicks Creek Park will gain about one-third of an acre and local travelers will have a much improved road and three new bridges when this is all said and done,” said Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry.
There will be a public hearing about the proposed diversion on May 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Freehold Township municipal building, 314 Route 539. Public comment on the diversion request will be accepted during the public hearing.
Information about this requested diversion of parkland project is available for review at the Upper Freehold Township municipal building, the Allentown Library and at the Green Acres program office, 501 E. State St., Trenton.
Written comments regarding the diversion request may be directed to Jessica Kubida, Environmental Specialist, Monmouth County Public Works and Engineering, Hall of Records Annex, 3rd Floor, 1 E. Main St., Freehold, NJ 07728. Kubida may be reached by telephone at 732-431-7760, ext. 6775.
Comments may also be submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Program, Bureau of Legal Services and Stewardship, Mail Code 501-01, 501 E. State St., Trenton, NJ 08625-0402.
Final comments must be submitted by May 17.
