COLTS NECK — The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders has decided to proceed with a plan it believes will improve conditions at a tricky intersection in Colts Neck.
The intersection in question is where Crine, Dutch Lane and Heulitt roads meet. Crine Road is designated as county Route 4 and Dutch Lane Road is designated as county Route 46.
The county has jurisdiction at the location.
At a recent meeting, the freeholders passed a resolution acknowledging that a need exists for improvements at the intersection. It notes that the county engineer has prepared plans and specifications for the project and opened the project to public bidding and construction.
Monmouth County public information officer Laura Kirkpatrick confirmed that the plan is to construct a roundabout. The estimated cost of the work is $1 million.
“This new roundabout has called for the acquisition of property, and that process has already been completed.” Kirkpatrick said.
Monmouth County Engineer Joseph Ettore said the new traffic pattern will improve safety by improving the alignment of the road.
He said development in the vicinity of the intersection has caused congestion at the location.
“With the changes being implemented, there will be traffic calming since the existing pattern has an unconventional geometry,” Ettore said. “With this substandard intersection, travelers have experienced less-than-desirable conditions that we hope to change.”
In recent years, the county constructed a roundabout at the entrance to Brookdale Community College, Route 520, Lincroft, in a similar traffic-calming project.
The county’s planned redesign of the Crine, Dutch Lane and Heulitt road intersection has drawn the attention of several residents.
Brook Crossan, who sits on the Colts Neck Planning Board, said he believes the county should seek a more cost-effective solution to this situation.
“The county’s proposed improvements at the intersection are a misallocation of Monmouth County’s resources, not to mention very expensive,” Crossan said. “I have asked the freeholders to put the construction of the intersection changes on hold because, after reviewing the entire file, I found there was no explanation as to why they decided on this alternative.”
Crossan said he lives about 200 feet from the intersection and travels through it frequently.
“I always thought the intersection was built awkwardly and there are always some cars speeding right through,” he said.