Yes, Lakewood has a lot of traffic; we all know that already. But what are we going to do about it? So far, we’ve been basically sitting back and waiting for some anonymous state officials to make some moves and get Route 9 widened, among various other wish list items relating to traffic.
There isn’t anything wrong with hoping that state officials help us out, but there is something we can – and should be – doing to help ourselves out.
My idea is to place a toll on drivers entering Lakewood from Jackson, Toms River, Manchester, etc. – every non-Lakewood town where residents rely almost completely on Lakewood’s infrastructure. Think about it for a moment: many living outside of Lakewood’s borders would not be living there if not for the infrastructure that us Lakewooders paid for in taxes. But those living in Jackson, Toms River, and other places don’t contribute a penny to Lakewood’s tax revenues. It thus ends up that Lakewood people are paying for the infrastructure necessary not only for themselves, but for others who live in nearby communities, as well.
This wouldn’t be such a major issue if there were only a few dozen families living near, but outside of, Lakewood. But that’s not the case. There are already many hundreds of families relying on Lakewood infrastructure but not contributing to its revenues. And that places an unfair burden on us Lakewooders.
Therefore, I am suggesting that we place a toll on those who drive into Lakewood to use our services. I don’t know how high the toll should be – officials can work out the numbers. But if you live outside of Lakewood and use Lakewood’s infrastructure – which was built using my hard-earned money – you too should be paying into the ever-rising costs of supporting 4 communities in just 1 single town.
Pay up.
I like the idea as a revenue idea – not sure how will this help your traffic situation though? Side question – is Rt 9 owned and managed by local township or by the state – we couldn’t toll a state road obviously? From an engineering perspective – are there really any good and realistic options that are available to alleviate the local Rt 9 traffic?
Tolls can help in 2 ways.
Increased revenue can be put back in to remake the roads.
And second, it will push unnecessary driving down thus diminishing the traffic.
There are drawbacks to be considered as well though….
The problem is a real problem. Lakewood resources and roads and sidewalks and traffic and police are being used by thousands who pay no taxes to Lakewood. This will eventually become a serious problem.
But the toll solution is not a real solution as it can not be done for many reasons. Are you going to build manned toll booths at every road and demand ID as to which town people live in. Nit going to happen and I assume even tge writer knows that. But it’s a serious and growing problem.
Midas Sedom!!!!
All the “lakewooders ” that live in the surrounding townships and contribute to the immense traffic
A – They do contribute to the local revenue by doing all their shopping almost exclusively in Lakewood.
B – If they wouldn’t be living in surrounding townships they would somehow be living in Lakewood, and the traffic would be exponentially worse
So just to clarify because you think that you own a house in Lakewood, other people should pay a toll for the privilege of coming into Lakewood. Do you pay a toll when you go to howell Tom’s river or Jackson? How about to use any Jackson or toms River parks? I hope you pay tolls to them
This is probably the most crazy idea ever…
I understand your point that “out of Lakewood people” don’t pay property taxes.
1. They definitely spend money In Lakewood witch helps the Lakewood economy.
2. So when Howell decides they want to charge a toll then freehold…… it will take double to amount of time to get to NY
I actually love this idea I think starting it off at 2:95 a car and 3:95 a truck would be perfect.
However you cannot hike it too much because then trucks won’t deliver to Lakewood it’s good they’ll say we’re not delivering to that zip code.
Otherwise this is a great idea I think everyone should support this let’s petition ray Coles.
Seriously?!?
Maybe The surrounding towns should charge lakewood families when using their parks. Or using squankem rd to access the parkway.
What about the millions of dollars of revenue that lakewood bussiness owners gain from the thousands of “out of town customers”??
I would suggest closing all main streets during certain hours. Then only public busses should be allowed during those times
First off, most people living in surrounding towns either own a business in Lakewood or work for one in Lakewood, thereby contributing to the Lakewood economy and paying their fair share of dues. And now that they have an address in Lakewood so by you’re rules they will anyways be exempt.
Secondly, these same people probably bring more business and revenue to Lakewood than Lakewooders themselves and hence contribute directly and indirectly more than their fair share
I would suggest closing all main streets during certain hours. Then only public busses should be allowed during those times!!
In many ways this is a short term problem.
There are many shopping centers opening in the surrounding areas that will make Lakewood almost non relevant to many. You can ask people that moved to Toms River where the Yeshiva is and they have no clue.
Focus on over development and that will alleviate the traffic
Lol this is written from someone hu sounds like they moved to lkwd in last 5 yrs. Theres alot of people in surrounding towns that moved out of lkwd bec of people like the author moved to lkwd and ruined the infrastructure that the previous generation built.
What a horrible rotten idea. You must be a self loathing person and who hates people. You also must be rich and a very bitter person. How dare you tell somebody else to pay money to go into the next town. Do people pay when they go from Borough Park to Flatbush? You are a real Sonai Yisroel . Who has that extra money lying around to pay for a toll? Most people traveling are hard-working individuals who need every dollar that they make. You are a terribly insensitive person and should go back to sleep.
I agree.
This is satire, right?
The irony is palpable when talking about anything having to do with lakewood and people not contributing to taxes, still not convinced this isn’t satire
Stop building too close to the 9 !!!!
Did anyone notice those new duplexes going up at Birch and RT 9??
They are just a few feet from the road.
The state won’t be able to widen even if they wanted to.
I think Baruch Rivlin ought to pay the toll.
No tolls. It simply isn’t fair. It’s bad enough to pay tolls to go on the GSP and the Tnpk. and the bridges to Brooklyn! But anyone who builds on rte. 9 should be required to build far enough away from the road so it can be widened.
What can be done to help? For Outside Lakewood folk and inside, use the following as guidelines and tips to ease the problem.
1. Only drive into or within Lakewood when you absolutely must. Can you walk? or jog? (See #4 below)
2. Can you order shopping list sometimes? Can you have ‘make your own pizza night’ sometimes?
2. Arrange car pooling with friends when coming in for shopping trips.
3. Organize car pooling such as hopping a ride with a neighbor when going to chasunah’s, etc.
4. This may sound absurd to you: Walk when and where you can of course depending on how far you are from your destination. Not only does it ease the traffic it is also good for you physically. 30 min walking you can burn off 200+ calories.
5. The Bottom Line: Think before getting into car and ask yourself ‘do I really need to drive? Try to come up with ways to organize your car trips that you can maximize places you go with each trip.
Hatzlacha Raba
Imagine how much we would pay going up Kent Road and vice versa…..stupid
“Get Lost”
Let’s forget for a moment the hopeful likelihood that this is a satire piece. Let’s also forget for a moment all opposition that I may have to this plan as it stands for a whole host of what are hopefully obviously reasons. And let’s forget entirely that the issue addressed in this article is one created by the lack of proper infrastructure planning, and nothing to do with the overpopulation itself. Had we prepared properly in the past, when we knew good and well what was happening, we would not be in the situation we are in today.
But as I said, let’s forget all that. Let’s focus on the logic of the idea that Mr. Rocking puts forth here:
The author of this article proposes an idea that is half-baked and in no way complete. How does he propose we implement such a plan?
Does every street that crosses between Lakewood and a neighboring town have a tollbooth built on the boundary line?
Does he propose turning the entirety of Lakewood into what is essentially a gated community? Does he not realize that we are talking about what is currently New Jersey’s 5th largest city?
Does he not realize that many of the main roads leading from Lakewood to the surrounding townships are either state or county routes – neither of which the township has any jurisdiction over?
And what about very same surrounding townships start charging a toll for Lakewooders to enter their domains, as would most certainly happen if his ludicrous idea would ever get off the ground? Does he not realize how much we Lakewooders benefit from the towns around us?
Does it elude him that this grandiose scheme – even assuming that it has any merit – is impossible?
Although I know I likely will not receive any answer from our author, I really hope someone logical will reach out to me and help me understand what exactly is going on in this author’s head…
In my previous comment, Mr. Rivlin’s last name was changed by my spell checker to Mr. “Rocking”. Unfortunately, I could not delete the comment, but I meant no disrespect.
Let’s forget for a moment the hopeful likelihood that this is a satire piece. Let’s also forget for a moment all opposition that I may have to this plan as it stands for a whole host of what are hopefully obviously reasons. And let’s forget entirely that the issue addressed in this article is one created by the lack of proper infrastructure planning, and nothing to do with the overpopulation itself. Had we prepared properly in the past, when we knew good and well what was happening, we would not be in the situation we are in today.
But as I said, let’s forget all that. Let’s focus on the logic of the idea that Mr. Rivlin puts forth here:
The author of this article proposes an idea that is half-baked and in no way complete. How does he propose we implement such a plan?
Does every street that crosses between Lakewood and a neighboring town have a tollbooth built on the boundary line?
Does he propose turning the entirety of Lakewood into what is essentially a gated community? Does he not realize that we are talking about what is currently New Jersey’s 5th largest city?
Does he not realize that many of the main roads leading from Lakewood to the surrounding townships are either state or county routes – neither of which the township has any jurisdiction over?
And what about very same surrounding townships start charging a toll for Lakewooders to enter their domains, as would most certainly happen if his ludicrous idea would ever get off the ground? Does he not realize how much we Lakewooders benefit from the towns around us?
Does it elude him that this grandiose scheme – even assuming that it has any merit – is impossible?
Although I know I likely will not receive any answer from our author, I really hope someone logical will reach out to me and help me understand what exactly is going on in this author’s head…
Let’s forget for a moment the hopeful likelihood that this is a satire piece. Let’s also forget for a moment all opposition that I may have to this plan as it stands for a whole host of what are hopefully obviously reasons. And let’s forget entirely that the issue addressed in this article is one created by the lack of proper infrastructure planning, and has nothing to do with the overpopulation itself. Had we prepared properly in the past, when we knew good and well what was happening, we would not be in the situation we are in today.
But as I said, let’s forget all that. Let’s focus on the logic of the idea that Mr. Rivlin puts forth here:
The author of this article proposes an idea that is half-baked and in no way complete. How does he propose we implement such a plan?
Does every street that crosses between Lakewood and a neighboring town have a tollbooth built on the boundary line?
Does he propose turning the entirety of Lakewood into what is essentially a gated community? Does he not realize that we are talking about what is currently New Jersey’s 5th largest city?
Does he not realize that many of the main roads leading from Lakewood to the surrounding townships are either state or county routes – neither of which the township has any jurisdiction over?
And what about very same surrounding townships start charging a toll for Lakewooders to enter their domains, as would most certainly happen if his ludicrous idea would ever get off the ground? Does he not realize how much we Lakewooders benefit from the towns around us?
Does it elude him that this grandiose scheme – even assuming that it has any merit – is impossible?
Although I know I likely will not receive any answer from our author, I really hope someone logical will reach out to me and help me understand what exactly is going on in this author’s head…
I do not agree with this plan at all
However would be super simple to implement
At the entrance of Lakewood have an easy pass on Rt 9 , and locals would not get charged .
But if you think this will solve the traffic crisis DREAM on !
it will make it worse!
I want to say something controversial .
TRAFFIC IS A BEAUTIFUL THING!
it means that we are being showered by blessing from the One Above
That thousands of people are running to go learn? UNBELIEVABLE
What a gift!
What blessings we have with so many Yiddish kinder going to learn!
What blessings we have that so many stores are packed and able to feed their families ! What blessings we have thta we are not locked in at homes! Thank you Hashem!
I hope that the blessing continues and that the lines to come in toLakewood should be like the lines to get Covid tests!
Maybe you should pay us for buying up all the houses and making all the prices shoot up.
Maybe you shouldn’t have applied for all sorts of zone variances to make the place unlivable and undrivable.
Once again, the ludicrous notion is put forth that others outside Lakewood are causing Lakewood’s traffic.
I don’t know who this person is but he’s clearly mentally incompetent of making normal decisions. Why would we want to increase tolls on people? A toll is like a tax.
Apparently this tipish doesn’t pay enough taxes. Well sir I have one thing to tell you, if you think you don’t pay enough taxes why don’t you just write a huge check to the state or to your local government, I’m sure they’ll love to take it from you.
When Lakewood families start paying to use Non-Lakewood parks, then let’s talk.
The state should build an overpass from Howell to Toms River. This would leave us with only the local traffic. For that overpass they can charge a toll and most drivers would gladly pay a toll instead of crawling through route 9.
As crazy as this sounds, it actually makes more sense than the original post.
If there was a large enough right of way all the way from Howell to Toms River (feeding into the Garden State Parkway below 571) an elevated roadway would be technically feasible. But it would be a monstrous project with astronomical costs.
A substantial, extensive public transportation system is probably the only possible solution that would have any real impact. It would have to be an extensive, very efficient bus network. School and BMG schedules would probably have to be staggered. Large scale neighborhood childcare centers would also help, instead of having thousands of cars rushing about to small playgroups.
No easy solutions. An ounce of forethought would have made this a much more manageable problem, but the imperative for developers to make the maximum amount of money overwhelmed all rational thinking.
Nothing says Welcome to the Community better than higher taxes, parking fees and higher tolls. Have you ever considered that someone may visit to make a purchase, try a new shop, or perhaps patronize a small business. Did any other surrounding community put up a financial barrier for you. Did the bus that originated out of the Howell bus yard charge an additional fee if you were a resident of Lakewood on your route to NYC?
The very fact that Lakewood has left itself to manage the chaos of traffic created by it is own development now requires a penalty fee for “outsiders” is discriminatory at best.
Proper planning, self regulation is the solution. Welcome to the community Baruch, how high should we charge for your seat?
I have a better idea, lets charge anyone who only moved to Lakewood this century a fee each time they want to drive in Lakewood.
if your at your desk at 8AM, you shouldn’t have any problems. we need to get more people to work.
I think it a great idea and as a resident form one or the outplaying towns I believe that when the Lakewood residents come to use the public facilities that are funded by my tax dollars they should also be subject to paying a toll
I agree that Lakewood infrastructure needs help, but a toll is just absurd.
First, a toll is absurd. People can’t afford to pay more than they already do. And where would the money go, anyway?
Second, with all the traffic issues, can you imagine having stop and show ID or pay a toll? It would take hours to get into town.
Third, let’s flip this around. Imagine if Howell/ Brick was charging a toll to go into their town for Target/ Walmart. Everyone would be furious.
Fourth, people coming into town spend money there. Putting a toll would convince them to shop outside of Lakewood, which would hurt local businesses.
And let’s not forget who you’re really hurting. Your children’s friends, their parents, very likely even some local workers.
I live on a busy boro park street, we get tons of traffic from Flatbush, etc. so I understand where you are coming from.
Taking away from the logistics of your plan, the other towns will set up their own shopping areas and stop coming to yours. And do you think the neighboring non Jews who were there before you will like your plan? They don’t want you there either.
Most of the non-Orthodox are people who have no issue with Orthodox moving in to surrounding towns. They just do not want a crumbling infrastructure and overdevelopment that is unsustainable to spread to the entire region. I know many of the Orthodox love the serenity and quiet of Toms River, Jackson and Howell.
I think all cars should be banned from route 9- build moving walkways instead like at the airport. It’ll be amazing. Need to shop at Evergreen? Bam, walk right on off and get back on when you’re done. It’ll alleviate all vehicle traffic. Yes, there’ll still be idiots talking on their cellphones and spacing out in the walkway, but at least you could hoist them to the side when they’re blocking the way. remember, fast passengers walk on the left, the spaced-out loafers stay to the right. It’ll be great!
As the Lakewood Orthodox community expands into surrounding towns, PLEASE tell your Orthodox leadership to plan for a proper infrastructure and responsible development. Nobody – Orthodox and non-Orthodox – wants the poor planning that Lakewood has as far as infrastructure and development to encompass all of Northern Ocean County and Southern Monmouth. Or else by 2030 we will be sitting in traffic starting in Marlboro all the way down to Toms River on Route 9!
Love the idea of the moving walkways
And no other towns can’t charge up a tax for using there parks or roads bec we aren’t causing traffic the traffic is “officially” caused by non lakewooders, but the traffic in lakewood is probably from 85% of the people living there themselves. Why can’t they get a mass transit system like they have in Yerusalim, very officiant cheap.
And besides it would be kind of creepy without the traffic. That’s part of the enjoyment of driving in lakewood. Now u appreciate the non traffic roads in Tom’s river Howell and so on maybe they should charge us a tax for traffic free roads kind of like taking the battery tunnel vs taking the Brooklyn bridge. So just move to Jerusalem. Not saying that the traffic is any better over there but it’s more holy
THANK YOU HASHEM!
This is one of the worse concepts ever thought of. First, there happens to be intersecting State,County and municipal roadways.No Politicians would ever allow for this because it is poor public policy.Rt 9 cannot be expanded because from Lakewood to Toms River merely because the studies by the N J Dept of Transportation have concluded the roadway is just to narrow.As for those who want to offset their Lakewood taxes, can’t be done. Way too munch housing and building.Lakewood has become a City in this State, and like any other urban centers you have to bear your own expenses.