A major road project that is expected to significantly improve traffic flow in Lakewood is moving ahead, with Ocean County recently receiving the CAFRA permit needed to continue the work, TLS has learned.

TLS has obtained a map showing the project being completed in multiple phases, with work continuing along Cross Street and the future connection toward East Veterans Highway.

The project is expected to create a major new five-lane thoroughfare connecting Route 9 to East Veterans Highway, providing a major east-west route through the area and helping ease the heavy congestion on Cross Street as well as traffic traveling between Lakewood and Jackson.

The map shows the work being completed in phases. The sections marked in blue are already ready to go, while the green portion is currently a few months behind the first phase. The red portion is slated for 2027, with the orange section planned as the final phase.

With the CAFRA permit now in hand, work is expected to continue moving forward more quickly.

The project is expected to create a five-lane roadway before 2028 and is anticipated to significantly improve traffic flow throughout the area.