Atlantic County Times

County Executive Dennis Levinson has expressed his concern regarding the state of Shore Road, emphasizing the need for utility companies to coordinate their work better and restore smooth road surfaces for motorists.

Levinson acknowledged the frustrations faced by residents using Shore Road due to the disruptions caused by utility work. He stated, "I hear complaints from residents who rely on this roadway for their daily travels and are frustrated by the continued disruptions and condition of the roadway surface."

Explaining the situation further, Levinson highlighted the challenges posed by utility companies' work on Shore Road. He mentioned, "Shore Road seems to be constantly torn up in one location or another for work by utility companies. It is not the county that is doing this, but many people assume if it’s our road, it’s our work."

Levinson also addressed the increased infrastructure projects following the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to more road disruptions. He emphasized the importance of better coordination among utility companies to minimize the frequency of road openings. Levinson questioned, "If they can coordinate work for private projects, why can’t they do so for road openings? The county spent millions of dollars to pave Shore Road but you’d never know it."

Regarding the restoration of road surfaces after utility work, Levinson expressed his strong stance, stating, "It’s disgraceful. The companies opening the roadway need to properly close it. It’s as simple as that. The law requires any road opening to be returned to its original condition after a period of settlement. The safety of our motorists depends on it."

In conclusion, Levinson's message is clear: utility companies must improve coordination efforts and ensure that road surfaces are restored to their original condition to provide a smoother and safer experience for motorists using Shore Road.