WILDWOOD – County Engineer Dale Foster reported to freeholders that, despite a June 21 microburst that felled trees, ripped roofs, and dumped torrents of rain on lower Cape May County, a public information session was held for the Rio Grande Avenue Improvement Project.
Held at the Wildwoods Convention Center, Foster said the session had to be relocated into the lobby where nature provided light since electricity was out in the meeting room.
“Several people showed up,” said Foster.
For those who missed the session, all information has been posted on the county Public Works Department website, capemaycountynj.gov, under “Reports and Studies.”
Foster said work would progress on the preferred plan as well as some alternatives and streetscaping.
Purpose of the project will be to reduce traffic congestion, improve drainage systems and enhance the city’s and island’s gateway entrance.
The project proposes five lanes from the George Redding Bridge to Park Boulevard. The center 12-foot lane would allow turns, which presently slow traffic. It would also widen sidewalks to five feet.
The road will be raised since it routinely floods with even minor storms and lunar tides.
Ocean City’s Ninth Street experienced similar flooding. The slide presentation showed a before and after example how the street upgrade eliminated flooding.
A pump station will be placed at Rio Grande and Susquehanna avenues which, Foster said, will also help alleviate flooding in neighbors to the north and south of Rio Grande Avenue.
Working with the city, Foster said there is a plan to “dress up the (city) entrance, so it looks more attractive.”
“We will be having more information regarding the project,” Foster said.
Since the county has gone through its conceptual phase, it will next select preferred alternatives and then go into the preliminary design phase.
If all goes according to plan, construction should begin in 2018 and be completed by 2019.
The study by Michael Baker International, noted that the road’s traffic volume ranges from 6,000 to 35,000 daily trips with two to three lanes in each direction and no shoulders. Further, it notes that the existing road lacks connectivity for bicycles and pedestrians, has substandard sidewalk width and is non-compliant with curb ramps as dictated by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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