Manager updates township on the progress of projects
VILLAS — Manager Michael Laffey said Township Council has been working hard with the county on improving safety issues on Sunset Boulevard, heading toward Sunset Beach.
Council passed a resolution April 21 requesting that Cape May County relocate a pedestrian crosswalk on Sunset Boulevard as part of the shared-use pathway and road reconstruction project.
“That resolution will allow the county to start the pedestrian crosswalk on Sunset Boulevard at Seagrove Avenue and Stevens Street,” Laffey said. “More than likely, West Cape May will do the same this Wednesday, and that work will be scheduled and finished before Memorial Day.”
Laffey added that the project is a traffic safety measure that would help pedestrians cross the road safely.
“It’s an unsafe situation and this will help slow down traffic on that road for sure,” he said.
Mayor Frank Sippel said Councilman Joesph Wareham was tasked with working with the County Engineer Bob Church to identify county projects and track information.
“All council thought it would be a good idea for residents of Lower to be updated, since so many roads are in every township,” Wareham said. “A lot of people don’t know if it’s a county road or township road.”
Wareham added that he had been in routine conversation with Church, who provided him with a list of upcoming road resurfacing and roadway improvement projects.
“The first is Bayshore Road from New England [Road] to Stimpson Lane. That’s looking to be started in June this year,” Wareham said. “Seashore Road phase one from Route 47 to Breakwater Road is looking to begin in September of this year as well.”
Also expected for 2025 is Academy Road from Tabernacle Road to Shunpike Road.
Tentative maintenance paving on Shunpike Road from Breakwater Road to Academy Road is expected to begin in June 2026, as is tentative maintenance paving on New England Road.
Seashore Road Phase Two from Breakwater Road to Tabernacle Road is to begin in September 2026, and Seashore Road Phase Three from Tabernacle Road to Sandman Boulevard is set for September 2027.
Sunset Boulevard resurfacing and shared use path is scheduled for March 2027.
Townbank Road from Bayshore to Beach Drive is scheduled for September 2030.
Sippel asked Laffey to revisit the list because Townbank Road from Bayshore Road to Beach Drive should have been complweted by now and to see whether he can get that date moved up earlier than 2030.
“We have our Townbank Fire Company down there responding back and forth, and the road is just beat up,” he said, adding it does not help fire trucks to get to and from emergencies.
Wareham also said completion dates for upcoming bridge projects, including Mill Creek and Upper Thoroughfare railing replacement and pedestrian walkway, are set for May 15. Ocean Drive upgrades and bridge replacements are currently in preliminary design and construction after 2030.
Another project expected to be complete by the end of May or early June is ongoing safety improvements at Schellenger Landing. Councilman Roland Roy said he and Laffey attended a Zoom meeting with the New Jersey Department of Transportation on the matter.
“It’s been a project drawn out to some degree, and started approximately two years ago,” Roy said. “It was revealed during the [meeting] the DOT is waiting on the vendor to supply materials.”
Roy added he is hoping the enhancements to alert and slow down motorists for pedestrian crossings will make it safer for everyone.
In other news, township engineer Will Hanson said the six pickleball courts for Bayshore Road are in the works. The proposed work includes six courts on the property between the Lower Township construction office and the senior center.
“That project area has been surveyed and base mapped,” Hanson said. “We’ve done some concept plans and are fleshing out the design at the moment, and we should be ready to get that project out to bid once we settle on the final design.”
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
