T.R. Officials Applaud Traffic Light Improvements Coming to Hooper Ave.

Toms River officials are in support of a state plan to improve traffic flow at 37 intersections between Toms River and Brick townships.

Patch reported last month that the state had awarded a a $273,000 grant to Ocean County to improve the traffic flow in the nine mile-long stretch that spans the two municipalities.

"With a growing population in Toms River, improved signal timing will help decrease air pollution from emissions, improve access to local businesses and reduce traffic-jams at these intersections," said Council President Maria Maruca.

The project was one of four approved by the federal government to receive Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funding.  The program supports projects that aim to reduce congestion and vehicle emissions through the use of fossil fuels.

The grant will be used to study traffic patterns and then upgrade 37 intersections along the nine mile stretch between Brick Boulevard's intersection with Route 70 in Brick and the road's southern terminus at Hooper Avenue and Water Street in Toms River.

The grant will be used for the overall project's first phase, officials said. In that phase, traffic data will be collected and analyzed with modeling software to develop improvement strategies for the intersections. A fully interactive graphic model of the corridor will be generated and will provide optimum signal timing and coordination plans.

The plan will then be implemented at the 37 intersections, 17 of which will receive upgraded signal controller equipment.

Councilman-at-Large George E. Wittmann, a Licensed Professional Engineer, said the project will make the Township significantly safer.

“The project aims to relieve future traffic congestion, decrease traffic accidents and provide a more efficient travel experience for drivers,” he said.

The project will begin later this year and be completed with minimal disruptions to traffic or detours.