Traffic Lights On, Speed Limits Up on Rt. 35

It's one of those unique "Shore local" problems: when the traffic lights stop blinking each spring, one has to remember to come to a full and complete stop - and most importantly, wait for the light to turn green again.

In a small sign of normalcy following Route 35's reopening after surrounding neighborhoods were hard hit by Superstorm Sandy at the end of October, traffic signals are no longer blinking amber and red.

Last week, the lights in Brick, Toms River and Lavallette were all changed back over to their solid red-or-green modes.

Since then, speed limits have risen in each of those towns from 25 m.p.h. – a limit imposed following Sandy – back to 45 m.p.h. in the southbound lanes and a mix of speeds between 30 and 45 m.p.h. in the northbound lanes.

Those speed limits are normally reduced as summer approaches.

The island does remain under a state of emergency, however, Brick Police Chief Nils R. Bergquist confirmed.

That state of emergency order includes the closure of the township's oceanfront.