The most significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the presentation and discussion of the Atlantic County Local Road Safety Plan. Jennifer Maron, executive director of the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization, introduced the plan, emphasizing its goal of zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2050. The plan is a collaborative effort, involving leadership commitment and stakeholder engagement, to tackle both infrastructure and behavioral strategies for road safety. The steering committee, composed of community leaders, has been working since fall 2022 to incorporate public input through meetings and workshops. The plan is eligible for grants under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets for All program, which could fund future design and construction projects.

Central to the plan are the four key areas identified for improvement: lane departures, pedestrian and bicyclist safety, intersections, and aggressive driving. Data analysis from crash records informed these focus areas, helping prioritize locations for safety interventions. However, the exclusion of state highways from the plan prompted questions from a commissioner, who expressed concern over the potential oversight of safety risks at intersections where county and state roads meet. Such intersections are typically under state jurisdiction, but their safety impact on county roads cannot be ignored.

In further discussions, the meeting addressed specific priority locations for road improvements, such as Delila Road in Pleasantville and Tilton Road in Northfield City. There are plans for 14 new mid-block crossings and upgrades to 253 existing crosswalks. Behavioral strategies were also discussed, focusing on public awareness, school-based education, and increased enforcement visibility. Despite these plans, concerns were raised about the lack of funding for the proposed projects. The plan primarily targets county roads, leaving municipal roads with high crash occurrences without recommendations, raising frustration among participants.

The use of outdated crash data, last updated in 2021, was another point of contention. Participants noted that data lags of two to five years hinder the ability to address current safety concerns effectively. Suggestions were made to leverage local police data for more timely updates. Additionally, a call for greater municipal involvement in road safety emerged, with the hope that municipalities would integrate their improvement efforts into the broader county plan.

Pedestrian safety emerged as a issue, with New Jersey’s pedestrian fatality rates exceeding the national average. A non-motorized grant from the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety aims to support outreach initiatives, particularly in municipalities like Atlantic City.

The meeting also covered various resolutions, including professional agreements and change orders for infrastructure projects. Notably, a change order increased a road resurfacing contract by $28,470, while another order for a flashing beacon system came in under budget by $95,000. A lease agreement for a senior nutrition site was approved, alongside interlocal services agreements for projects at the National Aerospace Research and Technology Park and the Justice Facility.

Inquiries about support for smaller municipalities with limited road program budgets were addressed, with a commissioner noting available gasoline tax revenue funding. While the county stands ready to advocate for towns facing challenges, no direct requests for assistance have been made by municipalities.