Berkeley Township is slated to receive $1,000,000 in federal funding secured by Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) for a critical extension to Western Boulevard that will relieve traffic hazards and gridlock on Route 9 and help greenlight further redevelopment plans for the town.

            “These federal dollars will go a long way to provide much-needed relief of significant traffic hazards and gridlock on Route 9 through additional avenues for those traveling throughout the town and surrounding area,” said Rep. Smith, who personally secured the funds for the project as one of his congressional earmarks that were signed into law on Saturday as part of a negotiated budget.

            “This new roadway will have a profound positive improvement on the quality of life for not only the residents of Berkeley but also the neighboring shore towns of Beachwood Borough, Pine Beach Borough, and Lacey Township,” Smith said.

            According to the proposed plans, Western Boulevard—which currently dead-ends at Northern Boulevard in Pinewald—would be extended to Gladney Avenues to create a bypass for Route 9 and provide a more direct north to south route than the current alternative through Beachwood.

            Smith said the project—which is estimated to cost $1,179,164.80—was well-prepared by former Berkeley Mayor and now State Senator Carmen Amato, former Lacey Mayor and now Committeeman Tim McDonald, former Beachwood Mayor Ronald Roma Jr., Ocean Gate Mayor Robert Curtin, and the Berkeley Township Police Department’s Traffic Safety Bureau.

            The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has long recognized gridlock problems in the area and has pushed local towns to make plans to address it, especially along the Route 9 corridor which according to NJDOT “has experienced rapid suburban development and tourism related pressures that have created tremendous traffic congestion and safety concerns.”

            “The Western Boulevard extension has always been and remains a key component to relieve the current traffic conditions and accommodate the future of the planned Berkeley Town Center One, which will include mixed use of commercial, professional, retail, and residential development to revitalize vacant or under-used properties,” said Smith.

            In 2012, the State of New Jersey approved Berkeley’s Town Center plan, which requires the Township to pursue the Western Boulevard extension.

            “This project will provide a significant, cost-effective boost for the town’s joint vision with the state and county to improve regional traffic and promote much-needed redevelopment and revitalization efforts,” Smith said.

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