SOMERS POINT — One of the city’s most dangerous and difficult to navigate intersections may be addressed in the near future.
City Council President Janice Johnston said Feb. 22 that the city received a letter from County Executive Dennis Levinson stating that improvements would be made at the intersection of Ocean Heights Avenue and Shore Road.
The letter stated Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners Chairwoman Maureen Kern, a city resident and former president of City Council, recently attended a meeting of Linwood City Council to discuss ongoing county road project and mentioned the potential for providing a traffic signal.
According to the letter, some in attendance, including Somers Point officials, said they were not aware of the plans.
Levinson said the traffic signal and other safety measures for both vehicles and pedestrians is part of a project designed by Urban Engineers Inc. to make improvements along the Shore Road corridor. Along with a light at Ocean Heights, plans call for crosswalks with pushbuttons and wheelchair-accessible curb ramps there, as well as other improvements the length of the road through the city.
The letter stated a study of the corridor noted there is a high number of crashes at the intersection, ranking it second-worst between Ocean Heights and Goll avenues.
Johnston said City Council was aware of the project, noting it was discussed in multiple meetings and subject of a public forum Sept. 14, 2023, at City Hall.
The presentation included maps of the project area and details about planned improvements, as well as comment cards for the public to fill out.
The city funded half of the study cost.
“It paid off for us because we got a $816,000 grant because we did the study,” Johnston said.
In August 2023, the city received the Safe Streets to Transit grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation for pedestrian improvements to Shore Road.
In other business, the city introduced two ordinances that would prohibit parking around sanitary sewer pump stations to ensure the Public Works Department has access in the event of an emergency.
Another ordinance would waive the fee for a restricted parking zone in front of a home for military veterans.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff