Big Changes Could Be Coming To Route 35 In Lavallette

Have you ever heard someone tell you an idea, and your first instinct is to say "that's a bad plan"? I usually like to see the positives in people's ideas; however, the newly proposed changes for Route 35 in Lavallette have me scratching my head, asking "why?"

New Legislation Could Bring Changes To 35 North And South

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For as long as I've been going to Seaside Heights and Lavallette for summer vacations, which is basically my whole life, 35 has been a one-way street on the North and South sides, but new legislation could see that changing.

35 North And South Could Become Two-Way Streets In Lavallette And Ortley

According to Shore Beat, there's legislation on the table that could take 35 North and South and make the road a two-way street.

At first, I thought this wasn't a bad idea; I can't tell you how many times I thought I was far enough North on 35 to get to the Crabs Claw, or Ricky Bagel, only to make a left down a side street to cross over to 35 South and realize I still had to go North a few blocks. It can be frustrating.

So making the roads two-way would solve that issue. However, there are other proposed ideas for 35 that are leaving me scratching my head.

Parking On 35 May Be Changed To Diagonal Back-In Parking Only

For example, officials are thinking about having all the parking along 35 North and South be diagonal, back-in parking only. Meaning, you'd have to drive a little bit past your parking space, throw your car into reverse, and then back into your parking space.

Personally, this doesn't bother me. I'm one of those people who always backs their car in. But there are a lot of people who would have problems doing that, and on top of that, what if the person behind you isn't paying attention, and doesn't see you throw on your blinker, and go into reverse? I feel like that could seriously increase the number of fender benders we see along 35 if this legislation passes.

35 North And South May Be A 25 MPH Road Year Round On The Island

And lastly, officials are also looking into possibly making 35 North and South on the island a 25 MPH road, year-round! Now look, in the summer, I get bringing the speed limit down to 35, there's a huge increase in pedestrians and traffic, and it's a safety matter. But could you imagine driving down the island in February, when none of the traffic lights are on, and still having to putt-putt along at 25 MPH? It would take forever!

When Are The Changes To Route 35 On The Island Voted On?

As of now, these are all just proposed ideas, but they do go before Borough Hall in July. What gives me some hope is that most local officials, as well as residents, are very opposed to this plan. So fingers crossed, 35 stays as-is. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?