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TOMS RIVER - The section of Hooper Avenue, from Washington Street to Madison Avenue, in the downtown area will have a new traffic pattern starting Aug. 30.
"We need to make these changes to this section of Hooper Avenue to create a safer traveling environment in this area and to accommodate the construction of the new Ocean County Justice Complex annex," said Ocean County Commissioner John P. Kelly, liaison to the county's Engineering Department. "These changes will effect both motorists and pedestrians."
The new traffic pattern includes the installation of a Jersey barrier down the center of Hooper Avenue from Washington Street to Madison Avenue in order to direct pedestrians to the corner crosswalks that have traffic signals which includes the corner of Washington Street and Hooper Avenue and at Madison Avenue at Hooper Avenue.
The pedestrian crosswalk over Hooper Avenue which connects the Ocean County Parking Garage to the Ocean County Justice Complex will remain open while the County works on installing a traffic signal by 119 Hooper Avenue. The signal is expected to be installed in about three weeks and will assist with pedestrian crossings.
The two traveling lanes in each direction of Hooper Avenue from Washington Street to Madison Avenue will be decreased to one lane traveling north and one lane traveling south and the speed limit will be reduced to 25 miles per hour.
The outer lanes of Hooper Avenue will be barricaded off from vehicle traffic.
As part of the work, the Hooper Avenue entrance into the Ocean County Administration Complex at 101 Hooper Avenue will be closed to motorists. Parking for County services and other downtown areas can be accessed from Washington Street or Hadley Avenue.
Kelly noted the changes will be in effect until the new justice complex annex is completed.
"We have a significant number of people using the various government buildings each day in downtown Toms River, whether it's the Administration Building, the Ocean County Courthouse, the Justice Complex, and a host of others," Kelly said. "It's imperative that we make these changes to improve safety in the area for both motorists and pedestrians while construction work is under way."
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