Improvements being made to Route 571

JACKSON - Route 571 will be improved and strengthened against truck traffic as part of a two-phase project that recently got under way in Jackson.

Work has already begun on the first phase of improvements between Lake-hurst Avenue and Stump Tavern Road.

"Trucks have really taken their toll on this road," said Freeholder John P. Kelly, liaison to the Ocean County Engineer's Office. "By the time we are done, the road will be stronger than ever and better able to stand up to truck traffic."

The county is also adding a turning lane between Lakehurst Avenue and Bowman Road and lowering a hill to increase visibility near Lakehurst Avenue, Kelly said.

Additionally, the $2.7 million project will realign the intersection of Route 571 and Lakehurst Avenue to make it easier to enter and exit the side road, he said.

While work continues on this one-mile stretch of road, county contractors this fall will begin a second $4.4 million project along Route 571 to the east and to the west of the existing construction.

Once all of the work is completed next spring, a six-mile stretch of road from just west of the Manchester border through the Cassville section of Jackson will have been improved, according to a press release from the county.

Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little said cooperation with Jackson Mayor Mark A. Seda and the Township Council has helped the Route 571 project advance ahead of schedule.

"We have had a great working relationship with the newly elected governing body in Jackson," Little said. "We are pulling together to get these projects completed with as little impact to Jack-son residents as possible."

Route 571 will remain open to car traffic only during the construction. Trucks will be detoured away from the road.

"There will be at least one lane open during the day while the work is progressing," said Freeholder James F. Lacey, liaison to the Ocean County Road Department. "At night and during the weekends, both lanes will be reopened to cars."

Emergency vehicles, school buses and trash trucks will also have full access to the neighborhoods impacted by the work, Lacey said.