For Immediate Release:
July 30, 2010
Red Bank corridor, traffic signal
to be upgraded
NJTPA funding to target Front Street and Globe Court
RED BANK, NJ – Intersection upgrades at Front Street and Globe Court will be among the improvements to the County Route 10 corridor (Front Street/River Road). Plans call for replacements of the existing traffic signal and installation of a new flashing beacon at the existing crosswalk at Riverview Medical Center.
“This project promises to make Front Street safer for people traveling on bike or foot, particularly in the area of Riverview Medical Center,” said Freeholder John D’Amico, a member of the New Jersey Transportation and Planning Authority. “These improvements will help slow traffic and make Red Bank – one of the county’s great walkable downtowns – even more pedestrian friendly.”
In addition to the traffic signal upgrades and solar-powered crossing beacon, plans call for the installation of concrete bulbouts, roadway islands, brick paver-style crosswalks, skid-resistant surface treatment, pavement markings and minor road construction work.
“These are welcome improvements to that area of Red Bank, where employees and visitors to Riverview Medical Center use a parking garage on the opposite side of Front Street,” said Freeholder John P. Curley, a former Red Bank councilman. “Downtown Red Bank is great for walking, shopping, eating or visiting beautiful recreation spots such as Marine Park. Safety is of the utmost importance.”
A total of $500,000 was budgeted for the improvements. The money comes from a total $2.5 million from the NJTPA’s Fiscal Year 2011 Local Safety Program, which is shared among 13 northern counties and the cities of Newark and Jersey City.
Monmouth County Engineer Joseph Ettore noted that plans for the improvement are being drawn up by in-house engineers. Concept plans have been developed and discussed with the borough and hospital. “With the support of the freeholders and Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna, Monmouth County has been assured of the funding and can now proceed with finalizing plans for construction, which can take place a early as spring 2011,” Ettore said.
The NJTPA is the metropolitan planning organization for 13 northern counties comprised of local officials, public transportation providers and state agency representatives who meet monthly to plan for the region’s current and future transportation needs, and determines the eligibility for federal tax dollars to fund transportation projects. The $500,000 is federal money.
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