def # 93

def # 93 06/27/12

NEW CONNECTOR ROAD TO OPEN FRIDAY

TOMS RIVER - A new connector road at Exit 83 on the Garden State Parkway in the Pleasant Plains section of Toms River will be formally opened Friday, June 29 and named in memory of Leonard G. "Bud" Lomell, a beloved local war hero who served during World War II.

Work on the connector road to be known as Lomell Lane began in October 2011 and has been completed ahead of schedule.

"The new connector road will improve access to and from the Garden State Parkway northbound and help relieve some of the congestion at the intersection of Route 9 and Route 571," said Freeholder John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety. "It is part of improvements to Interchange 83 on the Parkway, which will include replacing the parkway bridge over Route 571."

The project was brought to fruition through the efforts of the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Toms River Township Council and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.

"This has been a long time in coming for the motorists of Toms River and Ocean County," said Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, who served on the then Dover Township Committee when discussions first began about constructing the road. "With this project finished, drivers will have a much easier time getting through the area."

Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little, who serves as liaison to the county’s Veterans Service Bureau, said it was appropriate to name the connector roadway after Lomell.

"This project represents many agencies coming together to provide our residents with a safe and convenient ride through a once congested area," Little said. "Naming the road Lomell Lane gives honor to all of our veterans and in particular to Bud whose actions will never be forgotten."

Bud Lomell was a long time Toms River resident and was a highly decorated former United States Army Ranger, DSC, who served in World War II. He is best known for his actions in the first hours of D-Day at Pointe du Hoc on the Coast of Normandy, France.

Lomell was recognized by historian Stephen Ambrose as the single individual - other than Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower - most responsible for the success of D-Day.

"Last year we lost a true American Hero and native son to Toms River " Leonard "Bud" Lomell who served our country as a Ranger in World War II, including the assault on Pointe du Hoc on D-Day," said Toms River Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher. "Bud exemplified all of the unselfish qualities of a patriot and true American and we, therefore, wanted to find a way to honor him and to keep his name forever in our memory. It is indeed fitting that the County Freeholders have accepted our request to name and dedicate this new highway in honor of Bud Lomell and we truly appreciate their effort and commitment.

We hope that this gesture in honoring Bud will bring some comfort to Bud’s wife Charlotte and their family," Kelaher said. "We will forever be in his debt."

The new connector road is expected to improve access to and from the Garden State Parkway northbound and help relieve some of the congestion at the intersection of Route 9 and Route 571.

Ocean County Freeholder James F. Lacey, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Road Department, noted that the alignment for the proposed road had been preserved by the Board of Freeholders, Toms River Township and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority in anticipation of moving the project forward.

"It was important that we all took this proactive approach in preserving land that was used for this connector road. We planned for the future," Lacey said. "Now we can open a new roadway that will make the area safer and better."

The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders awarded a contract for the work to C.J. Hesse Inc., Belford, in the amount of $3,691,527 in October 2011. The project was expected to take about a year to complete.

Earlier this week, the traffic signals were already on flash in preparation for the road opening Friday.

"This project will help alleviate some of this traffic which of course grows heavier as we approach rush hours in the morning and evening," said Freeholder John C. Bartlett Jr. "This new connector road will improve traffic flow and will make this a much safer area to travel through.

"Safety is a priority of this board," he said.

The project totaled 1.3-miles, which included the new road and two new ramps to and from northbound parkway.

The work included constructing a connector road, which is an extension of Intermediate Way between Route 166 and County Route 571 or Indian Hill Road. The exit ramp from the Garden State Parkway northbound was expanded and improved and a signalized intersection was provided where the ramp meets the proposed connector road. At the intersection, vehicles exiting the Parkway can then turn left to access Route 571 or right to access Route 166 southbound.

Under the plan, access also will be provided from the connector road to the Garden State Parkway northbound from the signalized intersection. The existing ramp from the Parkway northbound was retained in the final interchange configuration. All three proposed connector road intersections - Route 166, Garden State Parkway northbound exit and entrance ramps, and Route 571 " will be controlled with traffic signals. Route 571 was widened between the Parkway and the connector road.

The connector road is part of improvements to Interchange 83 on the Garden State Parkway, which will include replacing the Parkway bridge over Route 571.

"I want to thank the New Jersey Turnpike Authority for its continuing cooperation in working with Ocean County to bring needed improvements to the Garden State Parkway," Little said. "As our population continues to increase, these roadways need to be improved to meet the needs of our traveling public. The Turnpike Authority in partnership with Ocean County has certainly been doing its part."