Board Supports Upper’s Exit 20 Interchange

CREST HAVEN – For over 30 years, Upper Township officials have sought a full interchange on Garden State Parkway’s Exit 20. On May 22, freeholders added their unanimous support to that highway upgrade. 
What is being requested are entrance and exit ramps in north- and south-bound directions.
At present, there is an exit northbound and entrance southbound in Seaville.
The resolution cited a recent Upper Township Economic Development Advisory Commission study that documented 90 percent of those who responded favored the full interchange.
Further, it cited tourism, which increases the county population 591 percent in summer, as the lifeblood of the area. “An efficient and sensible traffic management system is essential for the safety, convenience and enjoyment” of residents and visitors.
The board urged the creation of the full interchange “without further delay and without further public inconvenience.”
In other action, the board:
* Appointed Beverly Fedorko-Ott of Ocean View and Jacqueline J. Simonson of Ocean City to the county Women’s Advisory Commission for three years to expire May 21, 2021.
* Awarded an open-end contract for various animal feed for the County Park and Zoo to Smeltzer & Sons, Inc. of Court House. The contract extends to April 11, 2019.
* Awarded a $144,348 contract for engineering services dealing with maintenance and paving of county roads to Gibson Associates, P.A.
* Awarded a $69,150 contract to The Ambient Group LLC of Sewell for the demolition of Building 98 (former Lion Limousine building) at the Cape May County Airport.
* Agreed to partner with the Department of the Army for design and construction of the Delaware Avenue (C.R. 640) emergency shoreline protection. The road borders Cape May Harbor and Coast Guard housing at Training Center Cape May. Nor’easters and Superstorm Sandy caused damage to the shoreline supporting the road. The Army will secure permits for the project, according to County Engineer Dale Foster. Of the $2.1 million for the project, the county would pay $785,000 with the Army paying the remainder.