Resident wants DOT to see the light
Jackson man advocates for left-turn arrows at Lakewood intersection
BY ANDREW DAVISON Staff Writer
For a small state with the highest national population density, motor vehicle traffic is obviously a major issue.

CHRIS KELLY staff Congested conditions at the intersection of Route 9 and County Line Road in Lakewood - where drivers on opposite sides often find themselves facing off as they attempt to make left turns - have led one Jackson resident to ask state and local officials to place turning arrows on the signal that controls traffic at the intersection.

Recently the intersection of Route 9 and County Line Road in Lakewood has been specifically scrutinized for the lack of a turning arrow for those motorists who are attempting to make a left turn onto Route 9 north from County Line Road.

The problem of volume exists on all sides of the busy intersection.

As it currently stands, both directions of traffic on County Line Road get a green light to cross Route 9 simultaneously, but the volume of traffic heading west on County Line Road makes it difficult and possibly dangerous for motorists who are coming from Jackson and trying to turn left onto Route 9 north.

Often only one or two cars can make the left turn per cycle which, according to Jackson resident Michael Kaufman, leads to motorists "getting impatient, trying to beat the yellow light," and other risky behavior.

Kaufman has been spearheading a campaign for improved traffic signals at this particular intersection for about a year. He said he is frequently on County Line Road and has observed what he calls the congestion and inadequacy of the intersection of County Line Road and Route 9.

He has sought support in his cause from Lakewood Mayor Raymond Coles, New Jersey state Senator and Lakewood Township Committee member Robert Singer and Lakewood Police Chief Robert Lawson.

The problem may well be a direct result of the ongoing commercial and residential growth in the area. Many motorists seek access to Route 9, which is flanked by retail establishments with new stores sprouting all the time.

In a letter to New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri supporting the installation of turning arrows at County Line Road and Route 9, Singer wrote, "Our current corridors were designed when we were still considered 'shore towns' and consequently do not meet the needs of our changing demographic."

Kolluri, the DOT and the Ocean County Engineer's Office have responded to the issue by undertaking a $4 million reconstruction of County Line Road including the intersections between Route 9 and Squankum Road.

This project, which was completed on June 26, re-striped, re-signed and re-signaled targeted intersections to, hopefully, lessen or eliminate the current problems.

In a response to Kaufman, Kolluri said, "DOT engineers remain confident that this measure will preclude the need to install left-turn arrows for the two movements onto Route 9."

He did not completely disregard the possible need for a turning arrow, though.

According to Kolluri, engineers will observe the intersection of County Line Road and Route 9 with the new turning lanes during peak traffic conditions, and if they conclude that turning arrows are "necessary for safer or more efficient flow of the east-west through, right and left turn movements at County Line Road, they will reconsider modifying the signal plans."

While left-turn arrows make turning quicker and more convenient, they also affect the overall flow of the intersection. According to a DOT representative, the extra signal could be a potential distraction to drivers, while slowing down through traffic. Since green-light time needs to be allocated specifically to turning, it increases the red-light time for motorists traveling in all other directions. Traffic patterns and volume need to be considered before a turning signal can be recommended, according to the DOT.

Kaufman remains unconvinced that the recent re-striping of the lanes will remedy the problem. He claims he has not seen significant improvement at County Line Road and Route 9.

"The road is not wider and there is still oncoming traffic," he said. "A dedicated lane for turning does not circumvent the problem."