FIRST REPORT: LAKEWOOD ROUTE 9 INTERSECTION WIDENING PROJECT COULD TAKE 5 YEARS, NJDOT ADMITS

Back in September 2022, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) finally got the shovel in the ground on their long-awaited Route 9 intersection widening project through Lakewood and Toms River.

At the time, DOT officials confidently assured us that the entire project would be completed in 2-3 years.

However, DOT officials have now conceded that the project may take 5 years, FAA News has learned through public court filings.

The project will address existing pavement deficiencies by milling and paving the roadway of Route 9 from 2nd Street in Lakewood to Indian Head Road in Toms River, and providing an additional High-Performance Thin Overlay, widening the Route 9 mainline at select locations to increase outside shoulder width and to provide a more consistent cross section with bicycle compatibility, existing traffic signals will be brought up to current MUTCD and ADA standards (with bigger, brighter bulbs), widening of 8 currently signalized intersections with addition of turning lanes, signal upgrades with ADA compatibility, addition of two new traffic signals; and addition of two miles of new sidewalks to provide walk-ability and connectivity. Storm water management will be addressed by updating roadway drainage to meet current standards, and 4 new one stormwater basins will be installed in conjunction with updated piping networks.

See full details of the project here on FAA News.

Construction began with utility relocation. The majority of the water main work in Toms River is complete, and most of the overhead utility wires throughout the project have been relocated. There is ongoing work throughout the project limits that includes watermain, sewage, telecommunication, and overhead electric/cable relocations, as well as some electrical work to upgrade traffic signals, a NJDOT spokesperson confirmed to FAA News.

DOT officials did not explain why the project will now take so much longer than they originally told us.

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