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Article Archive > Brick Twp. woman calls for duck-crossing signage on Route 35 in Wall Brick Twp. woman calls for duck-crossing signage on Route 35 in Wall WALL - A Fort Monmouth supervisor who commutes to work on Route 35 in the township says she has "been in duck-saving mode in the same spot every Friday when coming home from work." That's where Brick resident Corinne Redman, 37, said six ducklings have died after being hit by motorists. The incidents led Redman to call county and state authorities to ask that a duck-crossing sign be put up. Redman said she heard back right away from the Monmouth County Department of Public Works and Engineering, being told the state has jurisdiction over the highway. She said she's still waiting for a response from the state Department of Transportation, where she sent an online request for help on July 12. "It's aggravating," Redman said. "I would like to make a difference in the hope to save other wildlife and hopefully to raise their young." State officials said they could not provide specific information about Redman's inquiry. The location is on Route 35 south, a few yards ahead of the Morningstar Road turnoff. Victor "Buddy" Amato, chief law enforcement officer for the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said the issue raised by Redman is not uncommon. "I get complaints like this all the time," Amato said. "If (Redman) can get me a license plate, I'll track down anyone who didn't use common sense and runs down a duck. He'll be charged. I'm not kidding." The ducks apparently are trying to cross the busy highway to get to a nearby pond, Redman said. But there's a five-foot concrete barrier at the median that brings their trek to a halt. "They're stuck there with no place to go and there's drivers that don't care, or they're too busy on their cell phones or changing the radio or whatever," Redman said. "I've saved two mother ducks and seven ducklings. I've watched the mother duck try and take her young to the pond across the way, except she will never get there because of the cement barriers in the road. I am so upset that motorists are not paying attention to what's in front of them. " Redman said she is involved in the Army's Fort Monmouth BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure). Her job is being relocated to Marlyand. Amato said he will be on the lookout for more problems on that highway. "The normal thing when there is one duck crossing is for a driver to slow down. Because one duck is followed by another one and another one. It's a long train. It's what you expect and it's cute," Amato said. "The abnormal thing is for a driver to accelerate. That's wrong. I have enforcement powers. Your derriere will be in front of a judge if you willingly or are negligent in hurting an animal or bird." |