Sayreville residents demand DOT meeting over Route 9/Bordentown Avenue redesign, council agrees to community session

Residents of Kenneth Avenue and nearby streets packed the public chamber to press the borough about a New Jersey Department of Transportation design for the Bordentown Avenue/Route 9 interchange. Edward Hamlin, who lives on 1133 Bordentown Avenue, said state concept plans show parcels to be acquired and that his property could be at risk.

Hamlin read from notes and said he organized a petition after becoming concerned about traffic and the possibility of condemnation. “The final design isn’t until 2029,” Hamlin said; he asked for direct meetings with DOT engineers to review plans and maps so residents could understand potential property impacts and traffic changes.

Multiple residents described repeated accidents, poor signage and safety risks to children if the plan detours traffic onto narrow neighborhood streets. Joanne Hallock and Judy Slabowski, longtime Kenneth Avenue residents, urged temporary changes if the state plan proceeds, including limiting the Route 9 entrance, adding speed control measures, and holding an in-person DOT workshop with engineers and charts.

The mayor and council responded that the borough would arrange public engagement with the DOT and suggested an initial community meeting at the senior center on a Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; the mayor said borough offices will work with the Speaker’s office and DOT staff to seek alternatives and to minimize property takings when possible.

No formal council action was taken beyond scheduling a community session and offering to coordinate DOT presence. Residents will be contacted with meeting details.