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The Asbury Park Police Department has issued a change in traffic pattern alert for the additional STOP sign at the intersection of Sunset Avenue and Memorial Drive.

The new stop sign was implemented as part of an agreement with NJ Transit to shift the Sunset Avenue Bridge repair detour route entering and exiting the city from Fourth Avenue to Asbury Avenue.

This allows for NJ Transit buses to safely turn south on Memorial Drive from westbound Sunset Avenue without having to stop on the railroad tracks, according to an ordinance adopted by the City Council last week.

“This is a win for the city and gets the buses off of Fourth Avenue,” said Acting Deputy Police Chief Anthony Salerno.

The Transit’s Safety Team expressed concern that without the traffic sign, their buses were left vulnerable to being hit by passing trains as they waited for traffic relief before turning left.

The stop sign will go into effect June 25 and remain until the Sunset Bridge replacement project is completed.

The estimated $10 million replacement of the bridge that connects Asbury Park to the Wanamassa section of Ocean Township is funded by the Federal Highway Administration, under the administration of the state Department of Transportation and the state Transportation Planning Authority.

The new bridge will include two 12-foot lanes with 6-foot shoulders and sidewalks. Minor road improvements include the widening of the Ocean Township approach, improved storm water drainage, decorative lighting and new guide rails, according to the Monmouth County Dept. of Public Works and Engineering, who is overseeing the project.

The project is expected to be completed May 2016.

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