Before reading this story, you should probably take a moment to remember all the hub caps, tire rims, shocks and other car parts whose lives were cut short due to damage sustained on pothole-cratered Big Oak Road in Middletown.
Now, let focus on the good news.
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Middletown Township officials gathered along the roadway this week to break ground on a approximately $1 million project that will completely rebuild the road between Woodbourne Road and Township Line Road.
Crews from contractor J.D. Morrissey have already begun work in preparation of the massive project, which township officials say will take about 6 weeks.
The stretch of roadway will be closed to everybody except local residents and those looking to get to the businesses along the roadway. The work on the large project is is expected to step up this week.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
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The project will include reconstruction of the road surface and the addition of flood mitigation methods.
A half-mile section of the road, part of which lies in a flood plain, will be 16-inches thick. Zoning Director Pat Duffy said a foot of concrete and several inches of asphalt will help stop erosion of the road.
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“Basically, this road lies in a swamp,” Duffy said.
Officials said a Casino Redevelopment Grant worth $700,000 and a $339,000 state grant will pay for the undertaking. Middletown Board of Supervisors Chairman Pat Mallon said any left over money would be used to improve the Middletown side of Township Line Road.
Big Oak Road has not been overhauled since it was constructed, Duffy said. Temporary repairs were completed following deterioration of the road surface last year.
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“This road has been a problem for 25-plus years,” Mallon said, adding he was happy it was going to be rebuilt.
