Kelly details ocean county plan for new five-lane highway expansion connecting toms river, lakewood and jackson

LAKEWOOD, N.J. — Ocean County officials unveiled details Monday about a major infrastructure project that will transform Cross Street into a five-lane thoroughfare, creating a new east-west connection linking Toms River, Lakewood and Jackson.

This plan was first reported by Shore News Network last week.

The project, currently underway with the installation of a new center turning lane, is the first phase of a multi-year plan that will ultimately widen Cross Street to four travel lanes plus a turning lane. New and upgraded traffic signals will also be added throughout the corridor.

“Cross Street is a vital artery in Lakewood Township – the fastest growing community in the state,” said John P. Kelly, Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners. “The Board recognizes the need to fund further improvements and we expect the next phase of work to begin next year.”

Phase two of the plan includes widening the full length of Cross Street from Route 9 to County Route 528 (East Veterans Highway) and installing traffic lights at several key intersections. A new signal at Cross and Prospect Streets is scheduled to go live by fall 2026. Additional upgraded signals will be placed at Cross Street and James Street/Franklin Avenue, as well as Cross Street and East Veterans Highway.

A new light is also planned at Cross Street and White Road. The full roadway expansion, including the additional two travel lanes, is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

Expansion targets traffic growth across region

Before the improvements began, Cross Street was a two-lane roadway for its entire 1.5-mile stretch. With construction progressing, the project aims to support increased traffic volumes as the region continues to grow.

“By the time the construction project is completed, Cross Street will have four traffic lanes and a turning lane along its entire length from Route 9 west to County Route 528,” said Kelly.

County officials emphasized the need to accommodate future development and congestion, particularly in Lakewood, which has seen rapid residential and commercial growth in recent years.

“This project is designed for the traffic that is there today, tomorrow and into the future,” Kelly said. “Ultimately the completed improvements should help us maintain traffic on this road for many years.”

Ocean County expects the full upgrade to be completed without interruption to daily traffic flow.

Kelly did not say how much the project will cost.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.