Freehold Township Seeks New Mall Access Road From Route 33

For those Howell residents who are used to going to Freehold Raceway mall by the jughandle up by Barnes & Noble, a plan by Freehold Township and Monmouth County could mean less traffic at the normally busy intersection.

At the Freehold Township Council meeting, the governing body approved a resolution Tuesday evening to join with the County in an application to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) for an additional access road to Freehold Raceway Mall.

The fourth access roadway would allow visitors to enter or exit the mall from Route 33 West between the Wemrock Road and Route 537 interchanges. Route 33 is a state highway and the NJDOT would need to approve any work connecting a new road to it.

Freehold Township owns the parcel of land bordering the mall, Wemrock Road, Route 33 Business and Route 33, where the new road would be built. Roadways entering and exiting the mall currently exist off of Route 9, Route 537 and Business Route 33.

It is believed the new access road would cut down traffic on Route 537 which especially during rush hour and during the holiday season can get clogged from local and shopping traffic.

A copy of the Freehold Township resolution supporting the joint application will be forwarded to the NJDOT and the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.