Safer Crossing At Route 522 And Church Lane In Manalapan

MANALAPAN, NJ — A new crosswalk with warning lights is now functioning at the intersection of Church Lane and Route 522 near the exit of Manalapan High School, and it will be dedicated on Wednesday, township officials said.

This crosswalk was set up to help students and residents safely cross from Manalapan High School to the Recreation Center and back, Mayor Susan Cohen said.

There are lots of sports activities at the Recreation Center, plus parking, and the area is always busy with students, she said.

The new crosswalk is currently up and running, and Mayor Cohen, Deputy Mayor Eric Nelson, and the Township Committee invite the public to join them on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 4 p.m. for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the site.

Cohen said Nelson spearheaded the project, which the township funded at a cost of between $85,000 to $100,000, she said.

Nelson said the idea came up from a suggestion by the Traffic, Transportation and Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee.

"It's a much-needed safety improvement," he said

The crosswalk has four pedestrian warning signs and buttons that those crossing can push to set off yellow warning lights on the 40 mph road.

Nelson said the project shows how important community involvement on advisory committees can be.

"There are safety experts on the advisory committee," he noted, adding it is the residents' ideas through advisory committees that help bring concepts to the Township Committee for projects such as this.

The project had been under consideration previously but all parties involved helped it come into fruition now - the school agreed with the plan as did the county, Cohen said. Route 522 is a county road.

And the township asks that all drivers now pay close attention to the crosswalk area, and yield to those who are crossing the street.

"A special thank you to the Monmouth County Engineering Department, our Department of Public Works, and Deputy Mayor Eric Nelson for helping to make this crosswalk possible," said Cohen.