Politics & Government

Manapaqua Speed Limit OK, County Says

County study into the Lakehurst Road finds no need to lower speed limit

A county investigation into changing the speed limit on Manapaqua Avenue — a main traffic artery for Lakehurst residents and churchgoers on the borough's north side — has determined that the current speed is acceptable. 

Mayor Harry Robbins in April made a request to Ocean County Freeholder John P. Kelly, Law and Public Safety chairman, asking for an assessment of the roadway's safety since it "is heavy populated with small children and a lot of curb side side parking" and "houses two churches which generates a lot of traffic."

At Thursday's Borough Council meeting, Robbins said that, despite his request to reduce the top speed of the county road from 35 to 25 mph, that limit will not change. 

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"It has been determined that the existing speed limit of 35 mph remains applicable for present conditions," Robbins said, quoting a letter he recently received from Kelly. Robbins disagreed with the 35 mph limit. 

"It's residential as far as I can see," he said. 

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Rumble strips to encourage passing vehicles to slow were also denied by the county, as they would cause too much noise, Robbins said. 

But one request made by the borough was found to be acceptable — a crosswalk spanning Manapaqua at Orchard Street may be installed. 

"They do not have an issue putting a crosswalk in at Orchard and Manapaqua as long as the borough cuts in the curbs and sidewalks for the walkway," Robbins said. "They only concern there is that we'd probably have to put another crossing guard in."

Resident April Chillemi is a proponent of the crosswalk and addressed Manapaqua's safety in a letter to the editor submitted to Manchester Patch in April. 

"We are going to have a disaster happen and I don't want to wait for something bad to occur before you take action," .

Robbins tasked Seaman to speak with the Board of Education to see if they would provide the funding for a crossing guard, should a crosswalk be constructed. 


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