Freeholders: DOT Needs 'Constructive' Parade Day Plan For Route 35

Admitting they have little to no jurisdiction over the ongoing construction on Route 35, the Ocean County Freeholder this week took the state Department of Transportation to task for what they say is a lack of communication with local mayors and public officials regarding the project.

Freeholder Joseph Vicari also said, in no uncertain terms, that the Seaside Heights St. Patrick's Day Parade set for a week from Saturday will go on as scheduled.

"We cannot cancel that parade," said Vicari. "It would be devastating to the tourism industry."

Vicari said local mayors have told him that their calls to the DOT often go unanswered, leaving both municipal officials and motorists with unresolved questions and issues with the project. In Lavallette, he said, the borough has resorted to handing out claim forms to drivers whose cars have suffered damage due to the project.

But at the top of the list of immediate concerns is the parade, during which officials are hoping to avoid a repeat of the 14 mile-long traffic backup that occurred during the Feb. 22 Polar Plunge event, also held in Seaside Heights.

During that event, just one lane to the resort community was open, causing traffic to back up the length of the Route 37 bridge to Vaughn Avenue in Toms River, and far back as Mantoloking on Route 35, through the entire towns of Brick, Lavallette and Toms River on the northern barrier island.

"This cannot happen again," Vicari said. "If we find out that there’s no constructive plan in place by Tuesday, with the administrator working with me, we will send a resolution."

The resolution, which would be passed at the freeholder board's regular meeting Wednesday, would call on the state agency to formulate a traffic management plan for the parade and to communicate with local officials.

"You have to return our phone calls, and it has to be someone who’s an authority," said a frustrated Vicari, of the DOT.

The DOT did not return a call from Patch on Thursday asking if there had been any progress made on coming up with a plan for parade day.

"My fear is that it’s going to get worse before it gets better," said Freeholder Jack Kelly, who hedged on placing blame for the Polar Plunge delay on the DOT.

"On the one hand, people want this project to stop Memorial Day to Labor Day," said Kelly. "On the other hand, that is prime time for doing roadwork. I can’t blame this all on the DOT. It’s a massive project to replace this entire road at once."

But Vicari doubled down on the communication issue.

"Every town said the same thing: return our phone calls so we can express our concerns," he said.

Toms River Council President Maria Maruca said earlier this week that township officials would meet with Seaside Heights borough officials to determine how to best direct traffic on parade day. The towns have tapped the Ocean County Sheriff's Department to help manage traffic in the area.