Levinson Blames Utility Companies for Damage to County Roads

ATLANTIC COUNTY — Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson says utility companies—not the county—are largely responsible for the deteriorating condition of some county roads, accusing them of repeatedly digging up pavement and failing to restore it properly.

During an appearance on "Off The Press with Scott Cronick" on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND, Levinson responded to listener complaints about Shore Road, a major county roadway that has been the subject of frequent construction and patchwork repairs.

Levinson acknowledged the road's condition but said the county's work is often undermined by multiple utility companies that excavate the roadway after paving projects are completed.

"It costs us millions for us to pave Shore Road," Levinson said. "The problem is after we get it done, the utility companies come and dig it up."

According to Levinson, companies performing work for electric, gas, water and pipeline utilities often arrive at different times to complete separate projects, repeatedly cutting into the same roadway rather than coordinating their work.

"You've got the electric, you've got the ACUA, you've got pipelines... you've got gas and they all dig it up at a different time," he said.

Levinson said state law requires utility companies to restore roads to their original condition after excavation but contends that standard is not being met.

"The law says that they have to bring it back to the condition that it was in when they dig it up," he said. "I've written them letters... and they ignore it."

Instead of multiple companies opening separate trenches over time, Levinson said utilities should coordinate projects and share a common excavation before the roadway is repaved.

"Dig one hole. Do all of your work and put it back to its original condition," he said, recalling how utility coordination was handled earlier in his career.

Host Scott Cronick noted that residents frequently complain about Shore Road's condition, particularly after years of utility work. Levinson agreed the roadway no longer meets county standards but maintained that the repeated excavations—not the original paving—are the primary cause.

"All I'm asking them to do is coordinate," Levinson said. "If you're going to dig a trench... just let us know. We'll coordinate it."

When asked what options the county has if utility companies fail to comply, Levinson said county officials have repeatedly contacted them but have received little response.

"You write them a letter like I did. And then when you don't get a response, you write them another letter. And when that's ignored, you write another letter. Then you go on talk radio and explain that they're not doing their job," he said.

Levinson also highlighted a recent example of county responsiveness after a resident reported a pothole on the Longport Bridge. The county repaired the problem within hours of receiving the complaint, he said, encouraging residents to continue reporting roadway issues.

"If you're on a county road and you see a pothole or something that should be fixed, call us," Levinson said.

The county executive said Atlantic County remains committed to maintaining its 375 miles of county roads and 175 bridges but argued that better coordination from utility companies is essential to protecting taxpayers' investment in road improvements.