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Toms River council adopts several traffic-code changes, including lower speed limits and new flashing stop signs
Summary
The Toms River Township Council approved multiple amendments to the township vehicles-and-traffic code in a meeting that included public comment on several specific intersections and brief thanks to police and engineering staff.
TOMS RIVER, N.J. — The Toms River Township Council on Wednesday approved a package of ordinances that lower speed limits on several streets and install or change stop controls at multiple intersections to address crash and pedestrian-safety concerns.
Council members voted in favor of final readings for ordinances that amend chapter 4-77 of the township code, reducing posted speeds on segments of Windsor Avenue, Grand Avenue and Lexington Avenue and authorizing new flashing stop signs or stop bars at several intersections.
The measures target multiple corridors: Windsor Avenue was reduced in three segments (from 30 to 25 mph, 40 to 35 mph, and 30 to 25 mph in different stretches); Grand Avenue will drop from 35 to 25 mph for its full length; and Lexington Avenue will drop from 30 to 25 mph for its full length. Council also approved removing yield signs and installing flashing stop signs at two Indian Hill Road intersections, and adding a flashing stop sign and stop bar at Guilford Avenue and Anthony Avenue.
The council opened several items for public comment before voting. Resident Catherine Galewski asked for clarification about the Indian Hill yield-sign changes and received confirmation that the flashing stop signs are intended for traffic approaching Indian Hill Road. Julie Adamek and Diane Shiller, who live near Guilford and Anthony avenues, urged the council to vote against installing a flashing stop there, saying traffic volumes are low. “I’ve been on this street many times… I’ve never encountered a car,” Adamek said.
Council President Lamb thanked Police Chief Sundak and township engineer John Meeley for their work on the traffic changes, calling the affected areas “dangerous, accident prone.” Council members repeatedly cited police and engineering recommendations before casting their votes. Council Vice President Coleman said the changes are intended to “reduce the incidence of traffic crashes and to promote pedestrian safety.”
Several ordinances were adopted by roll call. Council members who spoke in favor included Lamb, Vice President Coleman and Councilwoman O’Toole; some council members noted the changes were concentrated in multiple wards and thanked staff for prompt work.
The council and administration said new flashing devices are often installed initially with the flashing feature enabled to increase driver awareness; that feature can be turned off later if appropriate. The changes will take effect as provided in each ordinance once administrative processing is complete.
The ordinances cited chapters and schedules in the township code (chapter 4-77, schedules addressing speed limits, stop intersections and yield intersections).
