By Matthew Sockol
Staff Writer
Monmouth County officials have authorized an engineering firm to design improvements to the intersection of Route 537 and Route 524 (Elton-Adelphia Road) in Freehold Township.
The intersection was the topic of discussion during a recent meeting of the Township Committee when a Freehold Township resident told elected officials that drivers are having a difficult time exiting the Holland Ridge residential development near that intersection.
On Nov. 10, the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders passed a resolution authorizing the engineering firm of Cherry, Weber & Associates, P.C., to design improvements at the “V” intersection of the two county roads.
The resolution identifies the intersection as being at the border of Freehold Township and Manalapan.
According to the resolution, the freeholders determined a need exists for professional services regarding the design of improvements at Route 537 and Route 524. On the recommendation of Monmouth County Engineer Joseph Ettore, the board hired Cherry, Weber & Associates to design the improvements. The firm will be paid an amount not to exceed $114,882 for its work.
According to Freehold Township Mayor Barbara McMorrow, there have been discussions between municipal and county officials regarding the intersection, which has been a cause of concern for residents.
During the Oct. 18 meeting of the Township Committee, Craig Poole, of Langeveld Drive in Holland Ridge, said the steady volume of vehicles on Route 537 at certain times of the day makes it difficult for drivers to enter and exit the development.
Holland Ridge is on the eastbound side of Route 537 near the intersection with Route 524. The only access point into and out of the development is from Route 537. The county highway is one lane in each direction at that location.
A traffic light at Smithburg Road halts vehicles that are eastbound on Route 537 and provides some opportunity for vehicles to enter and exit Holland Ridge Boulevard. The closest traffic light that halts westbound vehicles and helps to create a gap on Route 537 is at Gravel Hill Road.
Poole said that in one instance, his son was attempting to make a left turn from Route 537 onto Holland Ridge Boulevard and had to wait several minutes for a break in the eastbound traffic in order to make the turn.
During that time, Poole said, westbound vehicles were passing his son’s vehicle on the right. He said the traffic on Route 537 is creating a dangerous situation for residents of Holland Ridge.