The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders has awarded a $27 million contract to the Earle Asphalt Company to construct long-planned improvements in Freehold Township and Howell.
On March 12, the freeholders awarded the contract to the Earle Asphalt Company, Wall Township. The road improvements will be made to Halls Mill Road and county Route 524 (Elton-Adelphia Road) in Freehold Township and Howell.
Plans and specifications for the multi-million project were prepared by T&M Associates. The freeholders said all but $471,000 of the cost of the improvements would be reimbursed by the federal government.
The Halls Mill Road project has been discussed and in development since the 1980s when Freehold Township initially conducted studies regarding the realignment of Halls Mill Road between Three Brooks Road and Route 524, according to previously published articles.
Jurisdiction for the project subsequently switched to Monmouth County, which pursued and received federal funding. Construction will take place over 1.9 miles on Halls Mill Road between Three Brooks Road in Freehold Township and Route 524 at the border of Freehold Township and Howell.
The project will include the realignment of Halls Mill Road, which will result in Halls Mill Road ending on Route 524 opposite Edinburgh Drive. At present, Halls Mill Road and Edinburgh Drive both intersect Route 524, but not opposite each other.
The project will include a new traffic signal at the intersection of Edinburgh Drive and Route 9; a traffic signal at the new intersection of Halls Mill Road, Edinburgh Drive and Route 524; and a permanent traffic signal at the intersection of Halls Mill and Three Brooks roads.
There has been a temporary traffic signal at the intersection of Halls Mill and Three Brooks roads for a number of years.
Other improvements to be completed as part of the project will include the creation of a cul-de-sac on Spyglass Hill Road; a pedestrian crossing beacon on Edinburgh Drive at Kapalua Court and Wentworth Drive; the installation of sidewalks on Route 524; and enhanced lighting.
Left turn lanes will be included at all signalized intersections, according to county officials.
