Seaside Park Votes to Revert 2nd Avenue to One-Way Street (But There’s A Catch)

2nd Avenue, Seaside Park, N.J., May 2024. (Photo: Shorebeat)

Seaside Park officials have voted to formally change the traffic pattern on 2nd Avenue back to a “one way” movement, however when the signage is installed is not entirely up to the borough.

Though a resolution had been passed once before, the formal ordinance changing the traffic pattern was passed on first reading last week. It will be subject to a public hearing and second vote at the council’s next meeting, though the request was largely inspired by residents who voiced concerns to officials that the street was too narrow for two-way traffic during the summer season when cars are often parked on both sides of the road.

The ordinance makes 2nd Avenue a one-way street between Central Avenue (Route 35) and the Ocean Avenue. Traffic will move west (ocean-toward-bay) on the street, which had been a one-way road before having been changed by a previous council. A plan was briefly considered to make the change seasonal, however it was rejected as being likely to cause confusion.

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Even after the second reading, however, new signage and enforcement will not come immediately.

“The state DOT had to give their approval and authorization, and provide the specific wording they require, which came this week,” said Mayor John Peterson.

2nd Avenue, Seaside Park, N.J., May 2024. (Photo: Shorebeat)

The state provided much of the text for the ordinance change, and since the boundary of the one-way zone terminates at a state highway, Trenton officials will have to review the ordinance and change the signage. That, in and of itself, has caused concern among local leaders since state agencies are notoriously sluggish in approval even simple changes to traffic patterns.

“We have to send a certified copy to DOT for them to approve,” explained Borough Administrator Karen Kroon. “Once they approve, they have to contact their road department to come out and install the signs. There is no ETA on when they might do that.”

The state is responsible for installing all of the borough’s one-way and “Do Not Enter” signs.

“I’m anticipating it being adopted on June 7, and we will notify the state the next day,” Kroon said.

2nd Avenue, Seaside Park, N.J., May 2024. (Photo: Shorebeat)

Peterson, on behalf of the borough, was authorized to write a letter to the state agency expressing the urgent need for the change, as it affects safety during the busy summer months.

“This action had been long-awaited,” he said. “The goal, naturally, was to make sure such measures would be effectuated before the start of the season.”