Ocean County Approves $4M Study for Traffic Improvements, Including Brick Township

The Ocean County Board of Commissioners greenlit a $4 million examination to scrutinize traffic patterns and safety upgrades for four separate Local Concept Development projects, including the Brick Township study; three main roads in Brick Township. The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority will chip in $1 million toward this endeavor, which splits into four separate studies.

Researchers will zero in on Brick Boulevard, Hooper Avenue, and Chambers Bridge Road. These three routes create a triangle. All three fall under county control and carry the most vehicles in the township.

"These intersections and corridors are among the busiest in Ocean County, and improving their safety and efficiency is essential for residents, commuters, and businesses," said Ocean County Commissioner Frank Sadeghi, who represents the county on the NJTPA Board. "This study will give us the information we need to plan meaningful upgrades that make travel safer and more predictable."

The NJTPA board granted the combined $4 million at its Jan. 12 meeting. County leaders anticipate kicking off the consultant selection process this spring, with work beginning next winter.

Through a process called "Local Concept Development," the county will examine a wide array of possible fixes and tactics. This might mean altering lane arrangements, modernizing traffic signals, securing driveway entry points, and boosting accommodations for those on foot or bicycle. Researchers will also weigh environmental factors, right-of-way requirements, engineering limitations, and corridor function to pinpoint solutions that tackle present and upcoming transportation hurdles.

Officials chose these particular roads because they make up a triangle that sees constant vehicle flow, frequent collisions, and tough conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. Countless driveways, tricky turning patterns, and sprawling intersections add to delays and danger, particularly when commuters flood the roads.

Growth in Brick Township and nearby Lakewood has pumped up demand on these corridors. Beachgoers swarm in during summer. This seasonal surge disrupts daily commutes and stretches delays across months.

"Our goal is to ensure these roads can better support the community as it continues to grow," Sadeghi said, according to Shorebeat.

The study will wrap up with officials selecting one preferred option to push into the next stage, called preliminary engineering. Projects that finish Local Concept Development can then pursue federal dollars for subsequent phases, which cover preliminary engineering, final blueprints, and construction.

Upgrading these intersections and surrounding streets should cut down on crashes, trim travel times, and make walking and biking safer and more accessible, according to a county statement.