Intersection’s lack of
traffic light an issue
Situation at Pond & East Freehold roads
continues to be a challenge for twp.
By linda denicola
Staff Writer
The usually civilized atmosphere at Freehold Township Committee meetings underwent a change Aug. 26 when a number of residents charged committee members with showing a disregard for public safety by not putting in a light at the intersection of Pond and East Freehold roads.
The anger stems from residents’ frustration over the need for something to be done to better control traffic at the intersection and may have been fueled by a rumor that East Freehold Road is to be made a 50 mph thoroughfare.
Both Township Administrator Tom Antus and Mayor Raymond Kershaw said they had heard the rumor, too, but said there are no plans to increase the speed on either Pond Road or East Freehold Road.
Township Engineer Joseph Mavuro previously stated there were 25 accidents at that intersection last year and 2,400 accidents in the township overall.
Municipal officials have noted that the entire Route 9 interchange area with Pond Road and East Freehold Road in Freehold Town-ship and Craig Road across the highway in Manalapan is under the jurisdiction of the state be-cause Route 9 is a state highway.
Mavuro said state officials are aware of the problems at the intersection of Pond and East Freehold roads.
"The county and the township have requested that the state do something there. They did widen and improve it a little bit. They put in another lane there, which improved traffic somewhat, but there is a lot of traffic at the intersection, [and] people do become overanxious when trying to make that turn," he said.
Traffic at the intersection backs up at certain times when drivers who are heading north on Pond Road attempt to make a left turn onto East Freehold Road in order to get to Route 9. Pond Road is controlled by a stop sign and the through traffic on East Freehold Road makes that a difficult left turn and tends to create a backup on Pond Road of drivers who want to make a left or just pass through the intersection and continue heading north on Pond Road. Southbound drivers on Pond Road can also have a difficult time passing through the intersection when the cars on East Freehold Road stack up at the Route 9 traffic light and create a gridlock situation in the intersection.
According to Mavuro, representatives of the state Department of Transportation (DOT) have examined the location and said they cannot improve just that intersection. He said they determined that they would have to look at Route 9 and a few other intersections to the north.
Antus explained to the residents at the Aug. 26 meeting that the township does not have jurisdiction over the intersection of Pond and East Freehold roads.
"We’ve met with the state for 10 years of frustrating meetings. They tell us they have a plan," he said.
Deputy Mayor Anthony Ammiano said he thinks there will be a traffic light at that location sooner rather than later.
"We’ve written many letters. I’ve been on the committee for [more than two years] and I know how many letters have been sent in relation to that intersection," he said.
But, he said, there is some good news.
"I think we are finally going to get one there because when the developer of the Freehold Pointe development (part of which is on East Freehold Road) did a traffic analysis, he found that a light was warranted. The state is interested in that study and has requested a copy," Ammiano said.
All of the committee members expressed their frustration over not being able to move the DOT to address the situation over the years.
Mayor Raymond Kershaw said, "We can’t make them fix it."
Committeeman Eugene Golub said Freehold Township is on a priority list, but said there is no magic button to get the work done. There are other towns with traffic problems as well, he said.
Committeewoman Dorothy Avallone said she has been on the committee for a long time and told the residents that municipal officials have been working on this issue for a long time.
"We would like to see something done. My daughter was in a tragic accident. Her vehicle was overturned at that intersection. My daughter could have died. Someone did die at that intersection," she said.
One resident asked if a representative of the DOT can be invited to attend the next committee meeting to address the issue. Kershaw said the committee will try to get the DOT commissioner to attend the Sept. 30 meeting.
Committee members also urged residents to contact the transportation commissioner on their own and make him aware of the situation.
The Internet web site for the NJDOT is www.state.nj.us/transportation.