OLD BRIDGE – A much-needed traffic light at the intersection of Route 34, a state highway, and Amboy Road is expected to be installed next summer.
Councilwoman Debbie Walker read a letter during a council meeting on Dec. 14 that Township Engineer Nicole Shapiro wrote to township officials announcing the traffic light, which has been almost 40 years in the making.
Township officials and professionals met with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) in October requesting the traffic signal. For DOT to move forward, it needed a commitment from the township, by resolution, to pay 25% of the construction costs.
DOT estimated the construction costs of the traffic signal at $225,000.
The council unanimously approved a resolution to commit 25%, or $56,250, for the traffic signal at the meeting.
Walker said she has advocated for a traffic signal at the intersection for many years with Council President Mary Sohor even before she was on council.
“There have been a lot of accidents [in the area],” she said, noting there was an accident last week at Lambertson and Amboy roads. “Hopefully when the light comes in we can readdress the Disbrow [Road] situation and make [the whole area] safer.”
In July, officials proposed to essentially make Disbrow Road a dead-end street for people traveling from Lambertson Road crossing Amboy Road.
Over the years, attempts to slow down traffic on Route 34, Disbrow and Amboy roads has included the installation of solar stop signs, signage and police enforcement patrol.