Two 'Crash-Prone' Sections of Rt. 9 to be Improved

Manalapan and Old Bridge Townships were awarded a Safe Corridor grant from the state valued at nearly $165,000. The two sections that will be receiving improvements have been deemed “Safe Corridor” areas by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT).

The grant is a part of the state’s Safe Corridor Program, which is funding 55 grants across the state for a total of $2 million. All of the roadways included in the Safe Corridor Program are the state’s most crash-prone corridors, totaling 130 miles of state roadway.

The Safe Corridor program is a part of the state’s “Safety First” initiative which focuses on increasing police force, raising fines for hazardous driving and unsafe equipment, and enhancing driver education.

The three-mile section of Rt. 9 from Craig Road to Covered Bridge Boulevard will receive safety improvements. Manalapan will be provided $55,147 to apply the safety improvements to this portion of the highway. Old Bridge will be receiving $109,542 for improvements on over six miles of Rt. 9 near the intersection of Rt. 34 south of Texas Road. 

Senator Sam Thomspon and Assemblyman Ron Dancer and Rob Clifton stated that this grant will allow finally officials implement increased safety initiatives in the high-accident sections of  state Highway Route 9.

“These two sections of Route 9 are notorious for frequent and severe accidents,” Dancer said. “This funding will allow us to continue our efforts in making these areas safer for both drivers and pedestrians.”

The money supplied in the grants could be used to install enforcement equipment, like radar and cameras, and could also be used to fund salaries and overtime for enhanced enforcement personnel and community safety information.

“We are thankful to be able to deliver vital safety improvements that can save lives and protect motorists, passengers and pedestrians along one of the state’s most crash-prone routes,” said Thompson. “Such results are priceless.”