Route 83 Interchange Improvements to Begin

County drivers can expect some traffic relief as a long-awaited connector road is finally constructed near the Garden State Parkway exit 83 interchange.

And Ocean taxpayers will see some relief too, as the project's price tag came in almost $1 million less than expected.

The Ocean County Board of Freeholders last week unanimously awarded a $3.692 million contract to C.J. Hesse Inc. of Belford for the long-planned Interchange 83 project. Work is expected to get under way within the next few weeks.

The congested interchange at Route 166 and Route 9 has long snared traffic near Toms River. The project is designed to improve traffic flow to the Parkway northbound while also addressing backups at the intersection of routes 9 and 571.

C.J. Hesse will construct a connector road that extends Intermediate Way between routes 166 and 571. The latter road also will be widened between the Parkway and the new thoroughfare.

Additionally, the exit ramp from the Parkway northbound at exit 83 will be expanded, and a signal will be in place where the ramp meets the new road, according to a release. Signals also will be erected at the connector road's intersections with routes 166 and 571.

"This is something long-needed," Freeholder Director Joseph Vicari said last week.

"This project will bring welcome relief to motorists that use the area and are aware of the congestion problems that currently exist. The connector road will provide for a safer trip for our motorists," said Freeholder James F. Lacey, the board's liaison to the Ocean County Road Department.

Nine bids were received by the freeholders, who initially pegged the project's cost to be closer to $5 million. C.J. Hesse was determined to be the lowest qualified bidder with its $3,691,527.99 estimate.

"The competitive prices among bidders have resulted in a real benefit for the citizens of Ocean County," Vicari said.

The 1.3-mile project will extend Ocean County's road system past 621 total miles, the most of any county in New Jersey.

The contract award specifies that C.J. Hesse has no more than 331 days from the project's start date to complete the interchange improvements.