Politics & Government

Manasquan Parking Lot Project Could Make Traffic Grind To A Halt, Some Say

A parking lot project in Manasquan has some residents worried that a good chunk of summer beach traffic could come to a grinding halt.

During the council's Tuesday's meeting, some protested that the reconstruction of the Third Avenue Parking Lot will turn at least one well-traveled street into a dead end.

"Please, please, please reconsider this situation," said borough resident Mary Ryan.

The reconfigured parking lot calls for a central entrance and exit from Third Avenue, manned by one kiosk to accommodate this controlled arrangement.  Access on Riddle Way from Second Avenue, however, will be restricted.

Borough officials said they've had an issue with people sneaking into the lot via Riddle Way and other ways. But some residents say they need Riddle Way to provide some alternative to drivers who clog Manasquan streets during the peak summer season.

Find out what's happening in Manasquan-Belmarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I think it's a really good flow," resident Barry Ivins said of the Riddle Way traffic route.

Riddle Way from Second Ave will be modified to a dead end; however, the parking lot will be configured to allow exiting through a manually operated emergency gate to allow exiting from larger events, according to borough officials.

Find out what's happening in Manasquan-Belmarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Councilman Edward Donovan said the matter was a safety issue for the parking lot attendant, too. "He would run around, trying to make sure nobody was sneaking into the lot," he said.

This configuration will allow for improved pedestrian safety to and from the beachfront, according to borough officials said. The parking lot calls for 147 spots including 5 which will be handicap ADA accessible.

Borough officials say they're awaiting word from the state Department of Transportation before proceeding. Ryan, however, believes Manasquan should have had its mind made up already.

"I think it's unfair to present this as a done deal," she said.


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