Resurfacing Improvements Begin on Ocean Drive

COURT HOUSE – A resurfacing improvement project for Ocean Drive, County Road No. 619, in the Borough of Avalon is beginning the week of Feb. 13.  At their Dec. 27, 2016 meeting, the Freeholder Board awarded Asphalt Paving Systems, Inc., Hammonton, NJ, a $4,467,400 contract to perform the improvements on Ocean Drive from 29^th Street to 62^nd Street.  Ocean Drive is a two lane roadway (one travel lane in each direction) with a full shoulder on both sides that allows for parking.
The project consists of milling and resurfacing Ocean Drive from 29th Street to 62nd Street in the Borough of Avalon. Broken, damaged or out-of-grade concrete curbs, gutters, driveway aprons, and sidewalks are to be replaced. Concrete curbs, gutters and sidewalks in good condition will not be replaced.  The project has been designed to achieve compliance with current Americans with Disabilities Act.  Under this construction contract drainage improvements will be limited to the right-of–way of Ocean Drive and consist of adding additional pipes and structures to reduce the width of the runoff spread in the gutters and on the sidewalks.  There are over 4,600 feet of drain pipe and 97 new drainage structures being installed under this contract to assist managing the stormwater runoff.  The roadway will be restriped similar to existing upon completion and continental style crosswalks (looks like piano keys) will be installed across Ocean Drive at street intersections.  No changes to the roadway alignment and no pavement widening is proposed.
Ocean Drive is being raised as much as possible, however the increase in elevation is limited due to the development adjacent to the roadway.  In order to minimize the impact of raising the roadway elevation, lawn drains with underdrains are being installed where the sidewalk and lawns cannot be sloped to the roadway gutters.  The lawn drains will be discharged to the nearest catch basin and will have a gate at the end to prevent the backflow of water through the lawn drains.
The traffic signal system at the 42nd Street intersection will be completely replaced with all new equipment and pedestrian countdown displays.  The 30th Street traffic signal will have some minor adjustment made to the system.
During the construction phases, now until mid-June and from mid-September to the end of the year, motorists can expect delays when traveling along Ocean Drive. During work days, traffic will be detoured to Dune Drive around the actual work site.  However, outside the Asphalt Paving Systems working hours, typically 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (or later depending upon the construction operation), Ocean Drive will be opened to traffic.  No weekend work is anticipated, unless inclement weather becomes an issue with the project.
Due to conflicts with the Borough’s Sanitary Sewer System Improvement project, Asphalt Paving Systems will be working between 46th Street and 62nd Street this spring season. The drainage construction will begin this week and the concrete work is anticipated to begin sometime during the first week of March.  The actual milling and resurfacing work won’t begin until late April.
All construction work will be suspended for the summer tourist season in mid-June.  Asphalt Paving Systems will return in mid-September, beginning at 46th Street and working their way northward until such time as the winter weather precludes the placement of concrete.  Any areas of disturbance from this construction project will be made suitable for use during the shutdown periods. 
The ongoing Borough’s Sanitary Sewer System Improvement construction project within Ocean Drive is expected to be complete sometime in the fall.  The Borough and the County will be coordinating the two construction projects to keep conflicts and disruptions to a minimum.
This $5 million project was chosen for consideration and approved for federal funding by South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization.  Urban Engineers, Inc., Cherry Hill, NJ were the designers of the project.  Gibson Associates, PA, Ocean View, NJ will be providing the construction oversight.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Cape May County Public Works Department at (609) 465-1035 or by email at countyengineer@co.cape-may.nj.us.