By MADDY VITALE
Ocean City Intermediate School students, parents and faculty will have to be patient, officials urged, with road construction along Bay Avenue near the school expected for the next few weeks.
The school district and the Ocean City Police Department have worked together to plan for potential detours and changes in drop-off and pickup of students. The local officials have also been in constant contact with the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority, the agency overseeing the project.
The project, to replace wastewater force mains, has been steadily working its way near the school at 18th Street and Bay Avenue in recent weeks.
Joshua Palombo, wastewater program manager for the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority, detailed information from a Wednesday morning planning meeting with other officials.
Palombo said that on Thursday and Friday the MUA’s contractor will be working at the intersection of 18th and Bay Avenue.
As a result, buses will enter the school’s Bay Avenue driveway from the south and exit from the north going back southward on Bay Avenue.
“Maintaining the safety of the Ocean City School District students and faculty is the MUA’s main objective throughout this process,” Palombo said. “The MUA appreciates the understanding and patience of all involved.”
Starting Monday, Jan. 13, Bay Avenue will be closed to bus traffic. Buses will drop off and pick up students at the parking lot located on 18th Street and Haven Avenue.
Parent pickup and drop-off will be unchanged.
There will be police officers and crossing guards at 18th Street and Bay Avenue, 20th and Bay, and 18th and Haven Avenue to assist walkers and motorists.
“It is anticipated that this setup will remain in place for a period of two to three weeks,” Palombo noted. “The MUA will continue to be in close contact with school and city officials throughout the duration of this project.”
For Ocean City School District officials, planning for roadwork in front of the Intermediate School began with the Ocean City Police Department this past summer and has been ongoing, explained Tim Kelley, school business administrator.
“The District and OCPD met numerous times to coordinate a plan that is safe for both transported and non-transported Intermediate School students,” Kelley said in an email.
While work on the section of Bay Avenue near the school may take weeks, school officials are making sure all goes well.
“We will closely monitor the progress of the construction crew to return things to normal as soon as we can safely do so,” Kelley said.
Kelley said buses will be temporarily relocated to Haven Avenue while work occurs in front of the school.
“The main entrance to the Intermediate School will remain open, and families can call the school at 399-5611 if they have difficulty accessing the main entrance during the road construction,” Kelley said.
Ocean City Police Lt. Brian Hopely, who is in charge of the Traffic Safety Unit, offered some advice to motorists.
“We want to stress to avoid the area if you don’t need to be there. And if you are going to be there, please be patient and expect delays,” Hopely said.
Anyone with issues or concerns about the project may direct their comments to the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority email at bayaveforcemain@cmcmua.com.
Here is a project timeline from the MUA:
