RIO GRANDE – People have been wondering about the paper-like material sticking out of the metal storm sewer grates along Route 47 in Rio Grande.
They’ve also seen crews grinding small portions of the roadway and removing metal reflectors embedded in the asphalt.
Leanna Nelson, a public information officer with the state Department of Transportation, provided an explanation of what is going on.
Nelson said prep work has started for the routes 47, 109 and 147 pavement preservation project in Cape May County. The project includes removing old striping, reflective raised pavement markers and rumble strips and installing new ones.
“There are no lane closures expected for this stage of the work,” she said.
County Engineer Robert Church said filtering material was placed around the storm grates to protect against entry of material into the inlet during construction. Church said the existing reflective markers will be removed and replaced so they are not sprayed over, reducing reflectivity.
Nelson said once the prep work is complete, the $6.5 million federally funded project will move on to the resurfacing of approximately 3 miles on Route 47 in both directions between West Rio Grande Boulevard in Lower Township and Hawthorne Avenue in Middle Township; approximately 2 miles on Route 109 in both directions between Yacht Avenue in Cape May and Route 9 in Lower Township; and approximately 4 miles on Route 147 in both directions between Route 9 in Middle Township and New York Avenue in North Wildwood.
“Paving work is expected to begin in late April or early May and take approximately one month to complete all three roadways,” she said.
Nelson added that the Department of Transportation will provide advance notice of upcoming lane closures.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
