Drivers in Lakewood, Jackson, and Toms River can expect to see roadway and intersection upgrades over the coming year, following the Ocean County Board of Commissioners’ approval of a sweeping traffic safety package aimed at easing congestion and improving safety.
The initiative targets dozens of high-volume intersections across central Ocean County. Officials said the improvements — including signal timing revisions, new traffic control equipment, and enhanced safety features — are based on studies conducted by the county’s Department of Engineering and reflect a long-term effort to modernize the local transportation network.
A large share of the work will take place in Toms River, where the county plans extensive upgrades along the Route 571 corridor — encompassing Bey Lea Road and Bay Avenue — as well as nearby intersections at North Bay Avenue, Oak Avenue, Old Freehold Road, and Whitty Road. Engineers say the goal is to better synchronize signals and reduce long wait times in heavily traveled retail and commercial zones near the Ocean County Mall and Seacourt Pavilion. Other updates will enhance pedestrian visibility and turning movements in high-traffic stretches around Bey Lea Park and the Toms River Intermediate North School area.
In Jackson, the county is prioritizing several critical commuter routes where congestion and safety have become growing concerns. Traffic signal revisions are slated for East Veterans Highway at Cross Street, North Hope Chapel Road, and South New Prospect Road at Brewers Bridge Road. The intersections of North New Prospect and Aldrich Road will also receive upgrades.
While Lakewood was not among the towns receiving direct signal changes in this round, county engineers said the improvements in Jackson and Toms River are expected to benefit Lakewood drivers indirectly, particularly those commuting along Cross Street, East Veterans Highway, and New Prospect Road — corridors that connect heavily used Lakewood arteries to surrounding municipalities. Officials added that future studies will focus on additional intersections feeding into Lakewood’s expanding residential and commercial districts.
No start date for construction has been announced, but the county said that public notices will be issued before each stage of work begins to alert motorists of temporary lane changes or closures.