TINTON FALLS – Monmouth County officials are making minor improvements at an accident-prone intersection while a plan for a long-term solution at the location is being developed.
That was the assessment offered on Nov. 5 by Tinton Falls Business Administrator Mike Skudera, who said county officials are working on a new concept plan to improve what residents have called the hazardous intersection at Route 13A (Sycamore Avenue) and Route 51 (Hance Avenue). The two roads are under the jurisdiction of the county.
Residents have described the intersection as a high-volume traffic area prone to motor vehicle accidents. Initial concept plans created as potential courses of action were presented by Monmouth County officials, but were rejected by residents and municipal official at Borough Council meetings.
Skudera, who said county officials are working to implement “interim solutions” to help remedy the issues at the intersection, said pavement delineators have been positioned along a portion of Sycamore Avenue.
Pavement delineators, a string of white flexible posts, were placed on Sycamore Avenue to act as a temporary guardrail, Skudera said. Residents requested a guardrail be placed on the road to deter vehicles from veering off the street and onto the shoulder, he said.
“Some residents complained about (motorists) passing them on the right,” he said.
Skudera said police officers will monitor the area at and around the intersection of Hance and Sycamore avenues during peak hours in the morning and evening. He said county officials are planning to replace old or worn out traffic signs on the road with new ones for better visibility.
Finally, Skudera said a resident of Sycamore Avenue has agreed to have some trees and shrubs removed from the front yard to “provide for a greater line of sight for motorists coming around (a) corner.”
The initial concept plans that did not sit well with residents and municipal officials included the proposed extension of Hope Road, which intersects Sycamore Avenue, and the acquisition of property on Sycamore Avenue to accommodate a potential increase in the number of lanes that would be constructed to handle vehicles.
Residents and municipal officials previously said they did not appreciate the “intrusive” nature of the concept plans and asked Monmouth County officials to submit new plans to address the matter.
The initial concept plans also sought to improve the intersection of Sycamore Avenue and Hope Road. Hope Road is under the jurisdiction of Tinton Falls.
County officials have said the goal of the improvements will be to accommodate the number of vehicles currently using Sycamore and Hance avenues, as well as additional vehicles that may pass through this area of Tinton Falls in the future.
According to the county, the injury rate that occurs from motor vehicle accidents at the intersection of Sycamore and Hance avenues is more than three times the state average, and has totaled $12 million in damages and personal injuries during the past 20 years.
