The state construction project along Fairmount Avenue which is causing traffic to currently merge into the left lane near Southwestern Drive is scheduled to continue for at least 10 more weeks.
Susan Surdej, state Transportation Department public information officer, said the construction project closing the right lane for eastbound traffic is scheduled to last until Aug. 31.
The project, which has already been completed on the westbound side of Fairmount Avenue, is being done between Elmcrest and North Butts avenues. The construction project is to repair driveways and improve sidewalks.
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Construction work continues to be done along Fairmount Avenue as apron and sidewalk improvements are made. The project is scheduled to continue through the month of August.
P-J photo by Dennis Phillips
''We have the right lane closed on Route 394 and the purpose of this is to remove steep concrete driveway aprons and to lower the sidewalks on both sides of the apron,'' Ms. Surdej said. ''We are building a new apron, with a more gradual approach.''
R-Patti Concrete and Excavating is handling the construction work on the highway aprons and grating. The contract award cost was $765,000, according to the state Transporation Department's website.
The state construction project to replace the culvert near Hillcrest Avenue continues. Even though Fairmount Avenue is no longer closed at the culvert, Ms. Surdej said earthwork, guiderail installation and paving is still being done in the area. The project is scheduled to be completed by July 31.
In May, Fairmount Avenue was completely closed for about three weeks at the culvert, which led to traffic having to use a detour around Route 394 in Lakewood.
The project is being done to replace a deteriorated culvert. There were existing twin 5-foot diameter pipes that would get clogged with debris. After it rained, water would collect in the area because it couldn't pass through the pipes because of the debris and would causing flooding in the area. The pipes were removed and replaced with a single concrete box culvert. The contract award costs was $1,150,000, according to the state Transporation Department's website.