Township officials assured concerned residents Tuesday night that traffic issues stemming from a recently approved development project would “sort itself out,” citing patience, adaptation, and the passage of time as primary mitigation strategies.

The assurance came during a standing-room-only public meeting in Brookfield Township, where residents gathered to voice concerns about congestion along Route 19, a two-lane road already strained by existing traffic.

Officials acknowledged the concerns before reiterating their confidence that the situation would improve without direct intervention.

“Traffic has a way of working itself out,” said Township Supervisor Alan Brooks. “It always does.”

Several residents exchanged looks.

Route 19 currently serves as the primary corridor connecting Brookfield Township to neighboring municipalities. Residents said the road experiences regular backups during peak hours, particularly near the intersection closest to the newly approved development site.

That project, approved earlier this year, will add 143 residential units and a small commercial plaza to the area.

Residents said the road cannot accommodate the increase.

“It can barely handle what we have now,” said local resident Joanne Keller. “Adding more cars isn’t going to help.”

Brooks nodded sympathetically.

“We hear you,” he said.

When asked whether a traffic study had been conducted prior to approval, township officials confirmed that no formal study was required.

“Studies can be useful,” said Supervisor Mark Dugan. “But they’re not always necessary.”

Dugan said the board relied on experience.

“We’ve seen traffic before,” he said. “This isn’t new.”

Residents asked what that experience suggested would cause traffic to improve.

“It tends to,” Brooks said. “Eventually.”

Officials explained that as traffic increases, drivers will naturally adjust their behavior.

“People find different routes,” said Dugan. “They leave earlier. Or later.”

Another official suggested some residents might drive less.

“That happens,” he said.

Residents said the explanations felt abstract.

“I have to get to work,” Keller said. “I can’t just stop driving.”

During public comment, multiple residents described near-miss accidents, long delays, and growing frustration. One resident said it now takes 20 minutes to travel a single mile during rush hour.

“That’s not sorting itself out,” he said. “That’s getting worse.”

Another resident asked whether the township planned to widen the road.

Brooks said widening had been discussed “in theory.”

“In practice, it’s complicated,” he said.

Asked to clarify what made it complicated, Brooks cited cost, coordination, and disruption.

“We don’t want to overreact,” he said.

The developer, Horizon Ridge Properties, did not attend the meeting but submitted a written statement expressing confidence in the township’s approach.

“Growth naturally brings change,” the statement read. “Communities adapt.”

Residents said adaptation appeared to be their responsibility.

“They approve the project, then we’re told to deal with it,” Keller said.

Transportation experts say the idea that traffic resolves itself without intervention is optimistic.

“Traffic doesn’t disappear,” said Dr. Raymond Cole, a transportation engineer. “It redistributes or worsens.”

Cole said development without infrastructure upgrades almost always leads to congestion.

“The math is straightforward,” he said. “More cars plus the same road equals more traffic.”

Asked why officials might downplay the issue, Cole said timing matters.

“Once a project is approved, acknowledging traffic impacts means acknowledging consequences,” he said. “It’s easier to say it’ll sort itself out.”

At the meeting, officials attempted to clarify what “sorting itself out” might involve. Brooks suggested incremental changes over time.

“Maybe signage,” he said. “Maybe timing.”

Another official suggested residents might need to adjust expectations.

“Maybe things just take longer now,” he said. “That’s life.”

Residents were unconvinced.

“That’s not a solution,” said one attendee. “That’s giving up.”

Several residents pointed to previous developments where similar assurances had been made.

“They said the same thing ten years ago,” one resident said. “Traffic never got better.”

Brooks acknowledged past challenges but remained confident.

“This time is different,” he said.

Asked why, he paused.

“It just is,” he said.

Despite ongoing concerns, officials noted that the development had already been approved.

“There’s no going back,” said Dugan. “We’re past that.”

Residents asked what recourse remained.

“You can continue to provide feedback,” Brooks said.

Several residents laughed.

As the meeting concluded, officials reiterated their commitment to monitoring the situation.

“We’ll keep an eye on it,” Brooks said.

Residents filed out slowly.

“They’re not fixing anything,” Keller said. “They’re waiting for us to stop complaining.”

Outside the municipal building, traffic on Route 19 crawled past.

Headlights stretched into the distance.

As construction continues and new residents prepare to move in, township officials say they remain confident.

“Change takes time,” Brooks said. “Traffic will adapt.”

Residents said they would believe it when they saw it.

“Right now it’s just getting worse,” Keller said. “But I guess that’s part of the sorting.”

Editor’s Note:

Brookfield Township did not provide documentation outlining planned traffic mitigation measures. Requests for clarification regarding long-term infrastructure planning were not answered before publication.