Busy Brick Traffic Corridors Will Get $4M Study for Future Improvements

The intersection of Route 70 and Chambers Bridge Road, leading to Brick Boulevard, in Brick, N.J., Dec. 2023. (Photo: Shorebeat)

Several of Brick Township’s busiest traffic corridors will be the subject of a study announced this week by Ocean County officials, with the results set to be used to consider future improvements for traffic flow and safety.

The Ocean County Board of Commissioners authorized the $4 million study that will center around two major, opposing corridors: Brick Boulevard and Hooper Avenue; and Brick Boulevard and Chambers Bridge Road, which form a triangular zone. All three of the roadways are under county jurisdiction are the areas surrounding them are the heaviest-traveled in the township. The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority will contribute $1 million each to an effort that will result in four separate studies.

“These intersections and corridors are among the busiest in Ocean County, and improving their safety and efficiency is essential for residents, commuters, and businesses,” said Ocean County Commissioner Frank Sadeghi, who represents the county on the NJTPA Board. “This study will give us the information we need to plan meaningful upgrades that make travel safer and more predictable. Our goal is to ensure these roads can better support the community as it continues to grow.”

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During a process known as “Local Concept Development,” the county will examine a wide range of potential improvements and strategies. This may include changes to lane layouts, upgraded traffic signals, safer driveway access, and enhanced pedestrian and bicycle accommodations. The study will also assess environmental considerations, right-of-way needs, engineering constraints, and corridor operations to identify solutions that “best address current and future transportation challenges.” The study will conclude with the selection of a preferred alternative to advance to the next phase, known as preliminary engineering.

County officials expect to start the consultant selection process this spring, with the study getting underway in next winter. The NJTPA board approved a combined $4 million for four studies at its January 12 meeting. Projects that successfully complete “Local Concept Development” can then seek federal funding for future phases of work including preliminary engineering, final design and, ultimately, construction.

The specific roadways were chosen for the study since they form a heavily traveled triangular corridor that experiences frequent crashes, high traffic volumes, and “significant challenges for people walking and biking,” Sadeghi said. Numerous driveways, complex turning movements, and wide intersections contribute to congestion and safety concerns, especially during peak commuting times, according to officials. Growth in Brick Township and neighboring Lakewood has further increased demand on these corridors. Seasonal beach traffic adds additional pressure, affecting daily travel and extending delays throughout the summer months.

“Improving these intersections and surrounding roadways is expected to reduce crashes, shorten travel times, and make walking and biking safer and more accessible,” a statement from the county said.