A meeting hosted by the NJTPA (North jersey Transportation Planning Authority) will be held in Lakewood next month to discuss the Route 9 corridor running through Lakewood and Toms River.

The purpose of the meeting, says the organizers, is “To hear your vision on how to improve travel safety, mobility, and access for all users of Route 9 in Toms River and Lakewood.”

The purpose and need for this study is to identify spot improvements, corridor-wide design treatments within a limited right-of-way, and access management regulations for Route 9 in Toms River and Lakewood that address existing operational deficiencies and a high crash rate, anticipate future development, and optimize safety, mobility and access for motorized vehicles, transit users, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Project Goals:

1. Establish a long-term conceptual design and vision for Route 9 and county and local roads as appropriate.  Establish a long-term vision for developable land in the study area.
2. Define the desired design for Route 9 that supports the needs of all users (including motorists (cars, trucks, buses), transit users, pedestrians, and bicyclists), and provides for an appropriate balance of safety, mobility and access.
3. Develop a package of low-cost, high-impact spot improvements for the corridor that in the short term address safety and operational issues, and the needs of all users.
4. Identify and make recommendations to address any traffic signal operational or locational deficiencies.
5. Develop a formal Access Management Plan proposal that NJDOT can advance toward adoption.
6. Develop recommendations for amendments to municipal master plans and zoning ordinances that municipalities can advance toward adoption.
7. Proactively engage all stakeholders in the planning process.

Recent project developments as of July 20, 2015:

• A kick off meeting was held April 17th at NJDOT to introduce this year-long study, which will evaluate current and future traffic levels and operational issues along a seven-mile section of Route 9 in Lakewood and Toms River in Ocean County. It will make recommendations for operational improvements to enhance safety and relieve congestion and will develop an access management plan. The study area is a critical north-south state highway corridor that also serves as a parallel facility to the Garden State Parkway. It has experienced significant growth and development.
• Working Group meetings were held on May 29, June 23, and July 14 to review and provide input into the technical aspects of the study, including data collection on traffic flow, crash history, land use and issues of local concern. The Working Group, in accordance with the NJDOT’s Access Management Plan (AMP) code, includes representatives formally designated by the governing bodies or directors of Ocean County, Lakewood Township, and Toms River Township, as well as the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association (GMTMA), the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA).

Project Background:

U.S. Route 9 between Lakewood and Toms River in Ocean County is a critical north south state highway corridor that also serves as an important parallel facility to the Garden State Parkway. Due to significant growth and land use development that has occurred over the years, the roadway today consistently experiences high levels of traffic congestion. As a result, the NJTPA has identified this section of U.S. Route 9 in its Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) 2035 as an important mid-term highway improvement need.

The Route 9 Corridor Study evaluates current and future traffic levels and operating issues between mileposts 94.8 (just south of CR 571) in Toms River Township and 101.7 (NJ 88) in Lakewood Township in a manner consistent with the federal Congestion Management Process (CMP) and builds upon a Smart Growth and Mobility Study completed by NJDOT in 2009. A widening of this segment of the highway has been included in the RTP as well as the current Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). However, NJDOT has been unable to advance this project because of the high cost. This study, which began in FY 2012, will be completed in FY 2014.

The critical element of this study is an Access Management Plan developed in coordination with NJDOT, Ocean County, and the two townships, pursuant to the State Highway Access Management Act. Through the use of engineering-based traffic and safety assessments and possible use of roadway simulation models, the study also seeks to identify appropriate facility-based alternative improvements capable of reducing roadway congestion within the corridor. The study is examining opportunities for increasing transit vehicle speeds and improving safety and convenience for pedestrians and bicyclists. The study is estimated to take 9 – 12 months and will identify alternative improvements to the widening of the highway that could be recommended for advancement.

The Open House will take place at the Lakewood Municipal Building, 231 Third Street on August 25, 2015 between 5-8:30 pm. Presentations to begin at 5:30 & 7:15. Light Refreshments will be Provided.

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