Tell'm Tara!

Open Letter to NJDOT Commissioner Kolluri

Wednesday, 25 July 2007

Commissioner Kolluri:

Today was a picture-perfect day at the Jersey Shore. I sat on my deck in Highlands observing the vista before me: Sandy Hook, Rt. 36 in Highlands and Sea Bright, and the historic Twin Lights Bridge. At 1:25 p.m. the traffic in the right lane south is backed up as far as the eye can see. Yet, the bridge has been down for 15 minutes; the cars waiting to cross quickly did so in less than two minutes when the roadway was lowered. The reason for the back-up? Sandy Hook parking lots are full, no more vehicles may enter, and there is NO SIGNAGE informing motorists of this fact until they actually get to the park entrance at the end of the bridge. Motorists are confused, and must cut over to the left lane to continue to Sea Bright. This scenario is repeated for several hours.

Your Dept. has advised the public that a new bridge is needed in Highlands to ease the traffic back-ups. This is not the case. What is needed is signage with information about the beaches placed all along Rt. 36 from Keyport on down into Highlands.

This is a simple, in-expensive and obvious solution to the problem.

You also state that The Twin Lights Bridge is dangerous and in dire need of repair. If this is the case, why is it not weight posted?. If your Dept. has been examining it every six months, as stated, why has not anyone noted the decay and started repairs?

I have lived in Highlands since 1995; each summer I observe the parade of cars into Sandy Hook. Each summer I see the same problem: Lack of Signage. Would someone in your Dept. please wake up and take care of this problem?

The National Park Service should also be charged with taking care of the traffic problems on the Twin Lights Bridge in the summer. A Park Ranger could surely be posted on the Highlands side of the bridge to help alleviate the problem.

Your traffic studies have delivered inaccurate information. I invite you and your staff to my home any summer week-end to observe what is REALLY going on.

Sincerely,

Tara K. Ryan
Highlands, NJ