SOMERS POINT – Somers Point City Council authorized an agreement with Atlantic County for a Shore Road Corridor Study.
According to a resolution approved July 21, an increase in new commercial development, expansion of existing businesses and new residential development require the city to reevaluate Shore Road from Ocean Heights to Goll avenues.
The city and county, which owns and maintains Shore Road, would split the cost of the study 50/50, at a cost not to exceed $32,500 apiece.
City Administrator Jason Frost said the study would “help identify strengths and weaknesses and assist us with a plan for traffic mitigation,” but also would boost the city’s chances of receiving infrastructure improvement grants in the future.
He said Linwood worked with the county to create a safe pedestrian crossing on Shore Road at All Wars Memorial Park, noting that may be something the city would find worth pursuing.
Councilman Sean McGuigan said the study would assess crosswalks, traffic lights and other aspects to see if they are sufficient for the safety of drivers and pedestrians.
“Success breeds traffic and traffic has increased there,” McGuigan said. “We are taking a proactive approach in conjunction with the county to try to identify any issues to make the flow of traffic smoother.” He said city leaders anticipate more development of the city’s former main thoroughfare.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff