Stakeholder and Public Meeting No.1 PowerPoint Presentation

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Phase: Concept Development 

Draft Purpose and Need: Reduce vehicular crashes and improve pedestrian and bicycle mobility and safety. Also improve air quality and improve network connectivity.

Description: Local Concept Development involves engineering analysis of crash history and travel patterns and consultation with the public, elected officials, and technical experts, to develop and select a cost-effective improvement alternative.  If a ‘build’ alternative is selected, requirements of subsequent design phases will be identified. 

Background:  Arena Drive (CR 620) is an Urban Minor Arterial, federal aid highway under County Jurisdiction with two lanes in each direction, no shoulders and sees relatively low traffic volumes (10,644 ADT).  For highways of this design, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) advises that a ‘Road Diet’ is a ‘proven safety countermeasure’ with an average crash reduction of 29%. As a result, this improvement is eligible for funding under the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). A “Road Diet” converts the roadway to one lane in each direction with a two-way center left turn lane and bikeable shoulders. 

A fatal crash at Arena and Hempstead in 2016 prompted the County to implement a diet on Arena Drive just from the I-195 ramps to Gropp Avenue. In 2017, with County funds, an engineering consultant assisted with preliminary planning for ‘dieting’ the length of Arena Drive, including materials for an application to DVRPC for HSIP funding for concept development through construction.  

South Broad Street (CR 524) is a two-lane Urban Principal Arterial, federal aid County highway with one lane in each direction and relatively low traffic volumes (17,897 ADT). Through much of the South Broad Street (CR 524) corridor, there is a shoulder lane that could be utilized for bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Both Arena Drive and S Broad Street are important east-west connectors in Hamilton Township. Land use is predominantly suburban residential development but also retail and commercial uses. Several schools generate a significant walking population not eligible for bus service, increasing the importance of pedestrian and cyclist safety. 

Proposal: 

The CD project will develop a list and conceptual designs of needed improvements along the Arena and S. Broad corridors and all intersections as needed. This study will evaluate ways to increase vehicle, pedestrian, and cyclist safety.  As part of this corridor runs through two interstates, safe passage through two interstate interchanges will require close coordination with NJDOT. 

Anticipated Project Schedule:

It is anticipated that the Local Concept Development phase of this project will be substantially complete within 12-months of its commencement.  Project timeline includes a six-month extension for review and finalization. The first Public Information Center Meeting will be held in October 2024. The second Public Information Center Meeting, where the project alternatives are introduced and the Preliminary Preferred Alternative is selected, will occur in the early Spring of 2025.

Contact: 

For further information, questions or to submit comments, please contact:

Jason Mildenberg, P.E., Assistant County Engineer

Matthew Zochowski, AICP/PP. Principal Planner

Email: ArenaBroadSafety@gmail.com