Chambers Bridge Road near the Brick business district. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
Traffic light patterns will be improved to better accommodate the flow of traffic as well as ensure the safety of pedestrians in one of Brick’s tightest corridors near the township’s central business district.
Ocean County officials this week approved the revision of traffic signals at several intersections along Chambers Bridge Road, including the busy entrances to the Kohl’s/ShopRite plaza and Brick Plaza.
Ocean County Engineer John Ernst said that revisions were driven by new regulations on pedestrian crossings, but grew to respond to overall concerns about the corridor and address complaints from residents about traffic delays.
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“In the past, we’ve been doing overlay projects and upgrades, and verifying pedestrian crossing times,” said Ernst. “The regulations have changed slightly, so we have to evaluate and reassess the time for the speed that people walk. Some of it is for pedestrians, but by the time you’re looking at that, you’re looking at everything else.”
For drivers, the revisions will include adjusting the amount of time allocated for left turns in order to improve traffic flow. For pedestrians, more time will be allotted to cross the busy roadway.
“They’ve slowed it a little because people are getting older and need adequate time to cross,” Ernst said.
Notably, the Brick Township Housing Authority complex is located in the area where the lights are being adjusted. The complex houses senior citizens who often cross the road on foot to go shopping.
The intersections where times will be adjusted are:
- Chambers Bridge Road at the Kohl’s Shopping Center driveway.
- Chambers Bridge Road and Ovation Way.
- Chambers Bridge Road at the primary Brick Plaza driveway entrance.
