S.B. officials critical of coastal evacuation plan
Keeler: Plan puts evacuees on low-lying roads
BY KIMBERLY STEINBERG Staff Writer
Sea Bright officials last week said the county's newly unveiled plan for evacuating coastal areas in the event of a major storm would prove disastrous.

Evacuation sign

"If it's a routine coastal storm, this plan is fine. If it's a Category 3 hurricane, the evacuation out of this area would make the New Orleans evacuation look like a walk in the park," Borough Council President William J. Keeler said.

Keeler spoke about the many concerns he has regarding the coastal evacuation route proposed by the county at the June 16 council meeting.

On June 2, Monmouth County unveiled a draft plan for coastal evacuation that provides a comprehensive review of the facilities necessary to move residents safely away from coastal areas.

The yearlong study of coastal evacuation routes prepared for the Monmouth County Planning Board channels residents of coastal communities west, away from coastal areas that would be flooded in the event of a major storm.

"Under the emergency management report, the evacuation route's semifinal documents show that our route is basically Route 36 going north or [Route] 520 going over the bridge," said Keeler.

Keeler expressed his concern over the areas of low elevation that the routes call for evacuees to pass through.

"If you're going north on the [Garden State] Parkway, you run into some very low stretches of road. It's very low around Laurence Harbor and that area. I don't think that's such a good route," he said.

"If it's a major storm coming up the East Coast, they don't know exactly where it's going to hit. It could hit in Atlantic City or up on the Hudson River. When we're talking about the evacuation of that many people, I think that this plan, taking the parkway north, is the last way I would go."

Council members Dina Long, Brian Kelly and C. Read Murphy agreed that Route 70, Route 1-95 west, or the parkway southbound would be better evacuation routes.

"I have a problem with them directing everyone to the parkway north. I don't think it's a good idea, with all the people that would be leaving North Jersey and New York City. I think this plan needs a little more work," Keeler said.

Murphy said there would be a window of 24 to 36 hours of lead time.

Keeler told council: "Now's the time to be talking; they could use some suggestions."

The study, conducted by Jacobs Engineering Inc. in cooperation with Reichman Frankle Inc. and Techniquest Engineering, evaluates transportation facilities used for evacuation along the New Jersey coastal region east of the Garden State Parkway and recommends improvements to existing facilities.

"One of Monmouth County's finest assets — its 26 miles of bay coastline — is also a potential liability, as low-lying coastal areas are subject to flooding from wave action and weather, particularly during hurricane events," the study states.

The listed goals of the study include: to improve coastal routes; identify and address limitations to evacuation routes to ensure their efficiency during emergency situations; and promote awareness of evacuation routes and the evacuation process among residents, tourists, stakeholders and the general public.

Roadway widening, a network of shelters, backup power for traffic signals, evacuation route signs and new bridges are among the $150 million-plus in measures recommended in the study aimed at upgrading the county's plans for evacuation of coastal areas.

The study area includes 41 municipalities located east of the Garden State Parkway and divides the coastal area into three regions.

The central region includes Red Bank, Fair Haven, Sea Bright, Rumson, Shrewsbury Borough, Shrewsbury Township, Little Silver, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Eatontown, Tinton Falls, West Long Branch, Long Branch, Ocean Grove, Deal, Interlaken, Allenhurst and Loch Arbor.

The study suggests the widening of Route 520 to create a full shoulder, which would be taken on by the county with an estimated cost of $16.5 million.

Also suggested is an upgrade of signals for wireless controls on Route 36 traffic lights, which would be taken on by the state at a cost of $322,000.

The study also suggests that the state widen Route 36 at the Broad Street intersection, which would cost an estimated $4 million.

The evacuation plan suggests coastal residents take Routes 520, 36 or Park Avenue for evacuation, since the roads lead into other main roads in the area.