Burnt Tavern Road Construction Will Last Into December: Here’s What They’re Doing

Construction on Burnt Tavern Road in Brick Township, Nov. 2020. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Brick motorists have been dealing with lane closures for more than two weeks along Burnt Tavern Road, between the Greenbriar developments and Van Zile Road. The project, which is under the jurisdiction of Ocean County, promises to usher in a safer traffic pattern – but it will take some time.

Mayor John Ducey said Monday that county officials have told him the project will last through “the middle of December.” Construction workers could be seen moving cones and barrels from one portion of the roadway to another this week, signifying the large scope of the project that will mean changes on both sides of Burnt Tavern Road.

Construction on Burnt Tavern Road in Brick Township, Nov. 2020. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

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Presently, vehicles turning left onto Burnt Tavern from Greenbriar II are funneled into an acceleration lane that turns into the left lane of traffic. On occasion, motorists have not realized that traffic may still be proceeding along the roadway despite the green light at the intersection beforehand. Meanwhile, motorists turning onto the road from Van Zile experience the same problem in the opposite direction. The project will redesign the intersection to remove the conflict between the lanes.

“Right now, eastbound traffic continues as people are turning onto the roadway,” said Ernst. “These improvements will allow traffic to move much better from this intersection to Van Zile Road.”

The project will also improve safety by stopping oncoming traffic from approaching vehicles turning left onto the roadway, Ernst said.

Construction on Burnt Tavern Road in Brick Township, Nov. 2020. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

While making the entire intersection safer, the primary benefit will be to move traffic safely from Greenbriar II onto Van Zile – currently requiring several quick lane changes – in a safer fashion.

“We’re going to eliminate the acceleration lane because there have been a lot of complaints about being able to merge from there to get over to Van Zile,” said Ernst.