Monmouth County officials are moving forward with a plan to improve an intersection at the border of Freehold Township and Millstone Township.
The “V” intersection where Route 524 (Stagecoach Road) meets Route 537 (Monmouth Road) at the border of the two municipalities is expected to be redesigned and improved, according to the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders.
Both roads are under the county’s jurisdiction and the intersection is controlled by a stop sign on Route 524.
A steady flow of vehicles heading east and west on Route 537 combined with the alignment of the intersection makes it difficult at certain times for motorists who are traveling on Route 524 to enter Route 537 and turn left toward Freehold Borough or right toward Jackson.
On March 8, 2018, the freeholders passed a resolution authorizing the acquisition of right-of-way for the construction of the intersection improvements.
At that time, Freeholder Director Tom Arnone said, “The county identified this intersection for safety improvements which include geometric modifications and sight distance improvements.
“The preliminary design being developed will eliminate the acute angle at which Route 524 intersects Route 537. It is being proposed that Stagecoach Road will be realigned to form a more perpendicular angle with Route 537. The new intersection will remain stop controlled; a traffic signal was not warranted at this location,” he said.
Arnone said it was the county’s intention to begin construction during the summer of 2018, however, he said the construction timeline would be dependent upon the county’s ability to secure the necessary right-of-way parcels from a property owner and to obtain a soil erosion permit.
The property the county needed to move forward with the project was owned by the estate of Bertha R. Miller. The total amount to be paid to the estate amounts to $490,000, according to a resolution.
On April 18, the freeholders authorized the purchase of a portion of the Miller parcel that was not required for the intersection improvements, but was added to the Charleston Springs Golf Course.
That 1.044-acre property was acquired for $297,419 and the funds came from the Monmouth County Open Space, Recreation, Floodplain Protection, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund, according to a resolution.
On Sept. 12, the freeholders authorized the purchase of the portion of the Miller parcel that is required for the intersection improvements at Route 537 and Route 524. The cost of $192,581 for that land is available in the 2019 budget, according to a resolution.
