Sea Isle Boulevard Project Brings Complaint

CREST HAVEN – Traffic backups eastbound on Sea Isle Boulevard from Route 9 are common. Potential customers from Sea Isle City are reluctant to travel to the mainland for anything for fear of being unable to return for over an hour due to traffic. Enforcement on the narrow two-lane highway, by State Police or Sheriff’s Department is minimal, according to Edward Sgalio, a Sea Isle City resident, business owner and member of its zoning and planning board.
He conveyed concerns about the project’s impact to freeholders July 28.
“There will be something serious happening on that causeway,” Sgalio warned. “If you come westerly on that road in the evening and you have deficiency in sight, or you’re a little nervous behind the wheel, make that turn at the parkway and see how it works out for you. It’s not a safe situation,” Sgalio told the board.
The five-year project “Seems to have many flaws,” he said. “The implementation was not fully thought out.”
Although their presence on the causeway has been temporarily prohibited by freeholder resolution, Sgalio said bicyclists who live offshore, who have no other means of transportation and joggers still use the road.
His business, located west of Garden State Parkway in Ocean View, is the “de facto turn around lane” and has been affected by 25 percent due to the project. It also bears witness to motorists leaving “donuts” in his lot as they seek a way back to the parkway since they missed the exit.
He urged some change in traffic patterns for the coming years.
“Never mind my business, this is a significant issue for travelers and tourists who are coming into the area,” Sgalio said.
“We know it’s a difficult situation out there,” said Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton. “(Vice Director) Leonard Desiderio has brought it up to the sheriff.”
“It’s enforcement,” said Desiderio, also Sea Isle City mayor. “Sea Isle City has no jurisdiction. The Sheriff’s Department, when they have been there, has given out over 60 citations for speeding.”
A tow truck is “stationed there” Saturday morning until evening to help move disabled vehicles, Desiderio said.
Desiderio cited County Engineer Dale Foster’s continuing updates on the project to the board.
Sheriff Gary Schaffer, who was in attendance, and Desiderio spoke privately after the meeting.
Speed limit on the boulevard is 40 mph. Stopping along the road is prohibited, since there is no shoulder.
Freeholder Kristine Gabor noted a problem she encountered when a westbound concrete truck headed for Garden State Parkway north made “visibility very bad, it was causing a major problem.” “I can see your problem,” Gabor told Sgalio.
Desiderio said Foster has had numerous meetings with the city’s police chief and administrator. “Anything we asked the county to do, they have done for us,” said Desiderio.
He said he would ask the city police to confer with the Sheriff’s Department.
“We’re talking about the next four or five years. Some of us live it every day,” said Sgalio.
“Know that your comments are well taken,” said Desiderio, “You are not the first person.”
“As mayor and freeholder I can’t blame it on the county. I can’t blame it on the city,” Desiderio said.
Desiderio cited a complaint received at a city council meeting that a NJ Transit bus was traveling the boulevard in excess of 40 mph. He said a call was made to NJ Transit, which informed all drivers who use that road that, should they get a ticket for speeding while driving a bus; they will “be dealt with in another manner at headquarters.”
Further, he cited a mail truck that was speeding, and a call was made to the Sea Isle City postmaster about that incident.
“What I hear is reaction, I’m looking for proactive,” said Sgalio.
Desiderio countered “We were proactive,” by placing railings and reflectors and “other things” Foster had implemented on the road.
“If I had to do this again, and they said Sea Isle Boulevard was being done first, I may have said Avalon or Stone Harbor first. But when the project is done, Sea Isle City and Dennis Township will love it. Our children, grandchildren and new residents will love it,” said Desiderio.
He said a message board lists speed limits that will be strictly enforced.