An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Article Display

Texas Avenue construction continues

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bryan Swink
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The construction on Texas Avenue has been a stress and strain for much of the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst community throughout the past few months.

The completion date of the project has been pushed back due to unforeseen "road blocks" discovered during recent phases of the construction process. Storm water pipes running underneath the road have deteriorated, resulting in many of the pavement failures motorists faced while driving.

"The main purpose of the project is not to just repair the pavement on Texas Avenue, but to fix the underlying infrastructure problems that were causing the road to fail," said Larry Schorr, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron project engineer. "Some of the structures needing repair are more than 60 years old. Correcting these problems now will keep them from becoming emergencies and safety issues in the near future."

One aspect of the construction resembles waiting in line for a ride at an amusement park. All anybody can do is just wait.

Near Nashville Street, storm water pipes running underneath the street needed to be replaced. This particular item was not identified in the original scope of work. Due to the size of the pipes, it was necessary to place a concrete slab over them to protect them before the pavement could be replaced. The concrete curing process takes approximately 28 days before work can continue.

Once the drainage portion of the construction is complete, the repaving process is expected to be completed shortly after.

"The repair and replacement of the storm water lines is a key factor in the schedule for this project," said Schorr. "Once the paving portion of the work begins, progress should be far more evident to the public."

The construction at the intersection of Broidy Road and Texas Avenue will likely be the most frustrating and challenging aspect of the project for JB MDL motorists traveling from Dix to McGuire.

Workers will install a storm sewer and two catch basins to correct the recurring flooding problem at the Burger King side of the intersection. The intersection is scheduled to be closed from Monday through Friday.

During this construction period, there are two routes designated to avoid the construction:

1. Drivers will be re-routed to Neely Road behind the Exchange/Commissary Complex.
a. Traffic coming Broidy Road (on McGuire) should turn Right onto Wonnacott Road, then Left onto Neely Road, to the Wrightstown Traffic Circle, then take either Fort Dix Road or Delaware Avenue depending on their final destination.
b. Traffic coming from Dix onto McGuire should travel north on Delaware Avenue to the Wrightstown Traffic Circle, turn right at Neely Road and continue behind the Exchange/Commissary Complex and either turn Right at Wonnacott Road or proceed until the Broidy Road intersection.

2. Drivers will be re-routed to Thunder Road Gate from McGuire - which is off Texas Avenue.
a. The gate at Airfield Road (on Dix), Thunder Road (on McGuire) and Texas Avenue will temporarily open on August 8.
b. Traffic coming from Broidy Road (on McGuire) will exit the Traffic Circle at Starlifter Park to the South on Wonnacott Road, turn right at the stop sign at Thunder Road and proceed through the gate, across Texas Avenue to Delaware Avenue.
c. Traffic on Texas, from Dix to McGuire, will turn to the East (toward McGuire) at Airfield and Thunder Roads and proceed to the stop sign where they will turn left on Wonnacott Road to the Traffic Circle at Starlifter Park.
d. The Thunder Road gate will close at 6 p.m. August 18 and re-open if necessary on August 22.

"We ask everyone's patience during this construction period," said William Goldsberry, 87th Air Base Wing safety specialist. "Please ensure you allow extra time and adjust your schedule accordingly."

Additionally, traffic lights have been activated at (1) Texas Avenue and Airfield Road and (2) Delaware Avenue and Airfield Road and will remain operational until construction is completed.

Project managers strongly urge drivers to avoid the intersection of Broidy and Texas Avenue, and Texas Avenue in it's entirety, if at all possible during this period. The Texas Avenue drainage and repaving project is scheduled to be fully complete mid-November.

For the latest JB MDL road and construction updates, please refer to the following fact sheet: www.jointbasemdl.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=18548