A traffic light being repaired. File photo — A traffic light being repaired. File Photo

TOMS RIVER, NJ – The Ocean County Board of Commissioners has approved an extensive package of traffic safety improvements covering major intersections and corridors in several municipalities, including Lakehurst, Toms River, Jackson, Lacey, Brick, Harvey Cedars, and Berkeley.

The wide-ranging upgrades, authorized during the board’s latest public meeting, focus on speed zone alterations, traffic signal revisions, and intersection modernization aimed at improving safety and efficiency for motorists and pedestrians.

Officials said the changes were developed through studies conducted by the Ocean County Department of Engineering and are part of a continuing effort to reduce congestion and prevent crashes on heavily traveled routes throughout the county.

Key Points

Ocean County Commissioners approved a countywide traffic safety improvement plan.
Projects include signal upgrades, timing revisions, and one new speed zone alteration.
Work spans more than a dozen intersections in Toms River, Jackson, and surrounding towns.

Major signal upgrades planned for Toms River

A large portion of the improvements will occur in Toms River, one of the county’s busiest transportation hubs. Several intersections along County Road #27 (Route 571 – Bey Lea Road – Bay Avenue corridor) will receive signal timing updates and equipment revisions. Adjustments will also be made to signals along North Bay Avenue, Oak Avenue, Old Freehold Road, and near major commercial centers such as the Ocean County Mall and Seacourt Pavilion. County engineers said these updates are intended to improve traffic synchronization and reduce delays in high-volume retail zones.

Safety improvements extend to Jackson and surrounding communities

Jackson Township will see multiple upgrades along key commuter corridors. Intersections affected include East Veterans Highway and Cross Street, South New Prospect Road, and Brewers Bridge Road. Officials said these adjustments will support safer turning movements and help manage growing traffic volumes in residential and school zones. Lacey Township, Brick Township, Harvey Cedars, and Berkeley Township are also slated for signal enhancements aimed at improving flow and visibility.

County focuses on long-term traffic management

County leaders emphasized that these upgrades are part of a broader infrastructure strategy to modernize traffic systems and adapt to population growth and increased vehicle activity. The projects will be coordinated through the Ocean County Department of Engineering, with implementation occurring in phases to minimize disruption. “Improving safety on our roads remains one of our top priorities,” officials said, noting that ongoing monitoring and future traffic studies will help identify additional areas for improvement.

Approved Ocean County traffic safety projects

Alteration of speed zones along County Road #4 (Union Avenue–Brown Avenue), Lakehurst
Revision of traffic signal at Route 571 (Bey Lea Road–Bay Avenue) and North Bay Avenue, Toms River (DVR-29)
Revision of traffic signal at Route 571 (Bay Avenue) and Oak Avenue, Toms River (DVR-30)
Revision of traffic signal at Route 571 (Bay Avenue) and Dunedin Street, Toms River (DVR-34)
Revision of traffic signal at Route 571 (Bay Avenue) and Ocean County Mall/Seacourt Pavilion, Toms River (DVR-35)
Revision of traffic signal at North Bay Avenue and Oak Avenue, Toms River (DVR-36)
Revision of traffic signal at Bey Lea Road and Old Freehold Road, Toms River (DVR-37)
Revision of traffic signal at Old Freehold Road and Whitty Road, Toms River (DVR-53)
Revision of traffic signal at Bey Lea Road and Lomell Lane/Intermediate North Way, Toms River (DVR-77)
Revision of traffic signal at North Hope Chapel Road and East Veterans Highway, Jackson (JK-2)
Revision of traffic signal at East Veterans Highway and Cross Street, Jackson (JK-4)
Revision of traffic signal at North New Prospect Road and Aldrich Road, Jackson (JK-11)
Revision of traffic signal at South New Prospect Road and Brewers Bridge Road, Jackson (JK-13)
Revision of traffic signal at Manchester Avenue and Western Boulevard/Haines Street, Lacey (LCY-1)
Revision of traffic signal at Long Beach Boulevard and 80th Street, Harvey Cedars (HRVY-1)
Revision of traffic signal at Burnt Tavern Road and The Boulevard, Brick (BRK-24)
Revision of traffic signal at Mule Road and Charlottesville Drive, Berkeley (BRKLY-3)

County officials did not specify a start date for construction but confirmed that public notices will be issued ahead of each phase of work to alert motorists of temporary lane adjustments or closures.

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.