By DON STINE
Jumping Brook Road in Neptune will see major improvements under a $1.2 million project approved by the Township Committee this week.
A bond ordinance to fund the project was introduced and a public hearing is scheduled for March 12. The cost is being offset by a $887,000 state Department of Transportation grant, with the remaining amount to be bonded.
Township Business Administrator Vito Gadaleta said that the entire road will be milled and repaved. Other improvements will include better pedestrian and handicapped access and crossings, some type of a bike lane, some areas getting new curbs and sidewalks, and installing traffic-calming improvements.
Some residents at Monday’s meeting said that sections of Neptune Boulevard are also in need of repairs, with township officials saying that plans to repair the road are already on the table.
In other business, a $1.4 million bond ordinance will fund utility improvements to the Heck Avenue sewer infrastructure, including installing new pipes. The Tremont Drive sewage pump station in Shark River Hills will also see improvements.
Both the sewer and Jumping Brook projects still need further engineering and Gadaleta said there is no date to begin either project right now and that both still need further engineering.
“We have no set date for the projects right now but we hope to get it done as soon as possible, within this calendar year” he said.
The $1.4 million sewer improvement ordinance will also have a public hearing on March 12.