Officials from Ocean County and Lakewood Township recently marked the completion of a new center turning lane along Cross Street. The improvement is the first in a series of upgrades planned through 2027 to enhance traffic flow and safety along the corridor.
“Cross Street is a vital artery in Lakewood Township,” said Ocean County Commissioner Director John P. Kelly. “The Board recognizes the need to fund further improvements, and we expect the next phase of work to begin next year.”
The next phase will include widening the roadway to four travel lanes and installing new or upgraded traffic signals at multiple intersections. Among the planned signal installations:
Fall 2026: A new traffic light will be installed at the intersection of Cross Street and Prospect Street.
2026: Upgraded signals are planned for the intersections of Cross Street with James Street/Franklin Avenue and with East Veterans Highway (CR 528).
2026: A new signal will also be installed at the Cross Street and White Road intersection.
Simultaneously, construction will begin to add two new travel lanes, with the expanded four-lane configuration and continuous turning lane expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
“By the time the construction project is completed, Cross Street will have four traffic lanes and a turning lane along its entire length from Route 9 west to County Route 528,” Kelly said.
Previously, Cross Street was a two-lane road for its entire 1.5-mile stretch. Officials say the expansion is necessary to accommodate the area’s rapid population growth and increasing traffic volumes.
“This project is designed for the traffic that is there today, tomorrow, and into the future,” Kelly added. “Ultimately, the completed improvements should help us maintain traffic on this road for many years to come.”