A new study has determined that a five-leg roundabout would be the best option to replace a signalized intersection as part of a proposal to improve traffic flow at the Squankum Road intersections with Kennedy Boulevard and County Line Road.
Christopher Marra, P.E., of engineering firm GPI, the deputy project manager for the Kennedy Boulevard (CR-6) and County Line Road (CR-526) corridor improvements project, presented the findings, titled “Innovative Safety and Congestion Relief Initiatives in Lakewood” to the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) Board of Trustees.
The project is part of a Local Concept Development (LCD) study of the parallel roads that run from Laurelwood Avenue to Squankum Road and is federally funded through the NJTPA, working in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
“Anyone familiar with Lakewood and the surrounding areas knows there’s been significant development expansion,” Marra said, which is driving increases in traffic both in the immediate project area and beyond.
The project is based on the 2017 Transportation Model Update for Ocean County, which determined that both corridors would exceed their capacity by 2025. In addition, there is an incomplete sidewalk network, lack of continuous shoulders and bicycle facilities, and a lack of signal coordination, Marra said. Aggressive driving is common throughout the project area.
Widening the road from four lanes, with two lanes in each direction, to five lanes with a center turning lane, would require taking the right-of-way from about 40 businesses and residences, in addition to significant impacts to nearby Woodland Cemetery, Marra said. That would likely preclude the project from advancing.
The primary alternatives investigated were:
- Maintain existing traffic patterns and optimize signal timings
- One-way conversion of County Line Road eastbound and Kennedy Boulevard westbound, with buffered bike lanes
- One-way conversion of County Line Road eastbound and Kennedy Boulevard westbound, with paved shared use path
- Construct a hybrid roundabout at Squankum Road to replace an existing pair of signalized intersections
- Maintain the pair of signalized intersections but widen and reconstruct traffic signals at Squankum Road to provide additional turning lanes
- No proposed changes
Marra focused his remarks on the preferred alternative of constructing a hybrid roundabout at an estimated cost of $28.8 million. Advantages include long-term congestion improvements, full sidewalk and bicycle connectivity, enhanced pedestrian safety, and shoulders  accommodating on-street parking.
Meanwhile, the disadvantages included easements and right-of-way taking  for construction of the sidewalk, and side path and roundabouts. Snow maintenance for a wider shared path might prove challenging for property owners.
The roundabout better accommodates traffic during peak and off-peak hours when compared to a signalized intersection, Marra said. It would mitigate potential wrong-way movements from the two-way traffic along County Line Road east.
Converting County Line and Kennedy to one way will eliminate the need for a dedicated left-through lane, Marra said, which allows for a consistent cross-section throughout and shoulders. The one-way conversion would allow for construction of curb extensions at intersections, improve pedestrian visibility, shorten pedestrian crossings, and discourage parking close to the intersection. Left turns from Kennedy and County Line would reduce conflict points.
A public meeting on the proposed changes was recently held at Lakewood Town Hall.
The preferred alternative would require NJDOT approval because Route 9 is a state road and would require widening.
Anyone familiar with a lake with culture knows that a roundabout would be a complete disaster! They may as well have a parked tow truck on standby for all the accidents that will happen there. Bad idea!
They need to do this at the intersection of East 4th, Park and ridge, just opposite foodex and the old shul.
It’s too many roads converging into one intersection.
Why don’t they do this at a very intersection?
Really?!
Ever seen a yield sign work in Lakewood?
Really?? Half the people here can’t even figure out how to do 4 way stop signs. Now we are going to give them roundabouts with 5 legs?? Anyone who does “studies” about lakewood roads should be required to drive through town at 9 AM on a day when there is no bussing.
Let’s do it!
This is not new. For the past 50+ years, every person that goes to urban development and traffic planning school knows that roundabouts are one of the most efficient traffic solutions. The only downside is the space it requires.
Europe is full of roundabouts. And they have less accidents. We should learn a thing or two from Europe.
And for the past fifty years anyone who graduated from urban development and traffic planning school quickly learned that roundabouts utility is limited to chronically moderate traffic environments.
In low traffic environments the benefits are moot and in high traffic environments they don’t work.
You’re joking right? They are good for Europe but Lakewood? No way one more reason to avoid Lakewood
Not how physics works lol. Roundabouts are infinitely safer and more efficient than the current infrastructure.
I’m just curious, if they’re such an amazing solution why don’t they have these in Brooklyn? It’s way more congested there then in Lakewood, yet I’ve never driven through Brooklyn and seen a roundabout, correct me if I’m wrong.
That’s because Brooklyn intersections usually don’t have the minimum footprint for a roundabout. The intersection above is more than sufficient for a roundabout. Hope this helps.
Theoretically speaking, this is correct.
However, this is with the assumption that the rules of traffic circles are followed.
There is no indication that it would work in Lakewood – quite the contrary.
Lakewood has their own urban development studies done, all completed by graduates of various prestigious yeshivos.
Their track record has been amazing.
Put up a traffic light, or construct new traffic patterns only to realize that they wasted another few million.
well they certainly got one thing right “aggressive driving
is common throughout the project area”
Lol as of lakewood drivers gonna respect a roundabout its gonna be bumper cars/go karts
Who is going to get fired when they actually follow through on this crazy idea, and then realize how crazy it is, and undo it for millions more a few months later
You’ve got to be kidding! Are there going to be traffic lights to control the flow from incoming and outgoing from the five roads? Otherwise one will take their life into their hands to enter and exit this roundabout.
If that happens I will have to get myself an old “smash-up-derby-vehicle” to drive around Lakewood in.
Do you think that everyone will yield like a traffic circle requires: HAH!
Gossage says this so-called “study” was clearly reviewed on Pluto—where sure, a roundabout might work—but it completely ignored the reality on the ground in Lakewood Township, NJ. They failed to conduct a proper survey, because even a Plutonian could see it would be a total disaster here.
Instead of getting lazy and outsourcing traffic planning to other planets, the county and Township need to expand our roads and add more lanes. That’s the only real solution—short of the Messiah.
Gossage out!
This is missing the simplest solution, but is now taboo, because of some of the rich people who would be adversely affected. Just finish Kennedy Blvd, from Squankum to Brook Rd, and alot would be solved.
Look at old maps of Lakewood, that was the original plan!
Use the $ to widen the 9
also- will this fix the flooding issues LOL
For $29 million just build an overpass
Does this 28.8 expense of road work coming at the cost of every person taxes. Include the buying of the closed mechanic shop Barneys? To make the space for this large 5 way circle?
Mr. Marra need to spend a few weeks driving around Lakewood not sitting at his desk somewhere before coming to any further traffic easement conclusions..absolutely ridiculous
28 million…. I have a simple fix. Offer $5 for every person that does use county line.the problem will get solved right away
Park Ave in general would be great for a roundabout at any of its intersections.
Im particular, Park and 4th where it intersects with Railroad, Marys, and Ridge.
The whole gridded part of Lakewood needs to be made safe for pedestrians, especially areas with a history of crashes and injuries/fatalities.
Why do the township keep looking at the roads, signage or traffic lights. The problem will exist as long as ignorant drivers are still using said roads. Here a three strikes Ya lose the license for at least a year, I believe that will generate more township monies and reduce traffic by 25%. Proper enforcement and penalties a win win for safe drivers.
What??!! No MONORAIL from Bagel Nosh to Gourmet Glatt South?? My original plan detailed a monorail that slows down to 10 miles per hour every block to let people hop on and hop off, and it costs a nickel to ride!