Bath Avenue Construction Will Be Finished By Year's End

The construction on Bath Avenue has closed down one of the city's main streets for the last few months, but the project is nearing its completion.

The work began in September, and Long Branch Business Administrator Howard Woolley said it will be completed by the end of the year.

"They finished paving last week and lined it on Friday, so the entire thing is closed to being finished," Woolley said.

The council to help finance the cost of the repairs.

The street is closed during the morning and afternoon hours and residents voiced their concerns with the work and the construction schedule during last week's Long Branch Council meeting.

Some complained about the work taking too long and others were unhappy that not all the sidewalks and curbs were completed.

Woolley said the curbing and sidewalks that were in the worst shape were also redone.

"The ones that are getting fixed are done," Woolley said. "We don't have money to do all the curbs and sidewalks."

He said the city will look into the concerns of the residents to make sure no damaged curbs or sidewalks were missed.

The Bath Avenue improvements are being made are from Broadway to Sairs Avenue, and that the rest of the street will soon be finished.

"We will be doing the next stretch (of Bath Avenue) shortly," Woolley said.

The Long Branch Council introduced a $407,000 bond ordinance during last week's meeting that will help pay for improvements for the road from Sairs Avenue to the oceanfront.

The council is expected to adopt the ordinance at its Dec. 27 meeting and should go out to bid for the project in February or March, Woolley said.

"We'd like to have the work completed by Memorial Day," Woolley said.