Improvement project gears up
at Route 9 intersection with Lacey Road
NJDOT to relieve congestion and improve safety in Lacey Township

NJDOT’s contractor, Earle Asphalt Co., is scheduled to begin construction activities this week including site mobilization and curb work. Extensive utility relocation work has been taking place around the intersection since last November, in advance of the roadway reconfiguration work.

The Route 9 and Lacey Road intersection currently operates at over capacity conditions, with Route 9 southbound traffic experiencing particularly significant delays at peak periods. This $3.9 million federally-funded project will reconstruct and improve this high-volume intersection, adding auxiliary lanes to facilitate better traffic flow and reduce the congestion coming in and out of downtown Lacey. Specific upgrades that this project will provide include:

• Route 9 northbound will be widened to feature one dedicated left-turn lane, one through lane and one through/right turn lane.
• Route 9 southbound will be widened to feature two through lanes and an exclusive right-turn lane. The Route 9 southbound left turn would still be accomplished utilizing the existing movement made via Oak Street and Parker Avenue.
• Lacey Road eastbound will be widened to feature a double left-turn lane, a through lane and a right-turn lane.
• Lacey Road westbound will be widened to feature a left turn lane and a shared through/right lane.

Additional improvements include a new dedicated left-turn being provided from Route 9 southbound to Jones Road, new sidewalks throughout the project limits and upgrades to the drainage system. The existing traffic signal system will be modified to accommodate the widened intersection.

NJDOT will stage the construction to minimize the impacts to residents and motorists. Single-lane closures will be allowed on Route 9 during overnight hours, but one lane will be maintained on the highway during daytime and peak-period hours. Short term traffic detours of Jones Street will be required to accommodate work during later stages of construction. Dynamic message signs will notify motorists of all upcoming traffic pattern changes.

The project has been under development for a number of years, during which the Department initiated extensive public outreach including multiple public information centers and officials briefings. The project is being coordinated with NJ TRANSIT and local emergency responders including police and fire personnel.

NJDOT anticipates project completion in spring 2014.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org real-time travel information.