OCEAN COUNTY, NJ – Ocean County continues to prioritize improvements to roadway access serving Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst by reconfiguring a section of Whiting-New Egypt Road, also known as County Route 539, to elevate it over Ridge Way.

Launched in 2023, the project is a culmination of years of collaboration between Ocean County and the Base to ensure secure, dependable access and to reinforce the long-term viability of the Base at its current location.

"Our goal is to ensure that Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is able to be safely and efficiently accessed by authorized personnel," Ocean County Commissioner Ray Gormley, liaison to the Ocean County Engineering Department, said. "We also want to limit disruption to traffic flow and travel delays for all roadway users."

Over the past year, the Ocean County Engineering department has been finalizing the roadway design for the 1.2-mile stretch in the Townships of Plumsted and Jackson. After considering various alternatives, the County decided to elevate Route 539 over Ridge Way, replacing the existing at-grade intersection and enhancing overall traffic flow.

The raising of the approaching roadways in the vicinity of the bridge will be accomplished with long retaining walls on either side. The existing roadway will be partially converted to vegetated areas, along with private access roadways for utility, County, and Joint Base personnel, according to the project website.

"Improving efficiency to Base access will ensure that its operations are able to continue in the present location," Gormley said.

The County is in the final design phase of the project timeline. Construction is scheduled to proceed once authorization is approved. During construction, no long-term closures or detours are anticipated, but reduced speed limits will be implemented in work zones.

Public outreach, involvement, and education continue to be sought at every stage of the project. To learn more about the project and its projected timeline visit the project website at www.cr539atjbmdl.com.

"I want to thank the partners who have been integral to the progress of this project. Thank you to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurt, the Township of Manchester, the Township of Jackson, the Township of Plumsted, Mott Macdonald, and the State of New Jersey Department of Transportation," Gormley said.

The project will be partially funded via federal funding, which will be authorized through the New Jersey Department of Transportation's Division of Local Aid and Economic Development and will follow the NJDOT Capital Project Delivery Process. Remaining funding will be matched by the County.