Due to strong opposition from Asbury Park officials, the state will not reconfigure Main Street but will maintain the current traffic configuration of two lanes in each direction.
The state had planned to reduce the roadway to one lane in each direction. The state also said due to the width of the roadway it would not be feasible to add bike lanes, as proposed.
Mayor John Moor said he was pleased to hear that the state has changed its mind.
“I am glad the state listened to us, to the police department, to the fire department and all our professionals who opposed this,” Moor said. “I can’t thank them enough for rescinding their decision.”
Moor said under the state’s plan first responders would have had slower response time and traffic along Main Street, which is filled with many businesses, would have been a nightmare.
“We are happy to see that they will be adding traffic signs and some tree pits which will make the street more aesthetically pleasing,” he said. “Everything they are doing we can live with.”
Earlier this year the state proposed reducing Main Street to two lanes and adding bike lanes. At the time the state said it wanted the roadway to look something like Main Street in Avon although Asbury Park has many more businesses and restaurants along its Main Street than Avon.
At the time Moor called the state’s plan irresponsible and had cautioned the city may consider legal action if the state went through with it.
