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, adding that such patterns tend to resolve naturally over time. 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, which will add 143 residential units and a small commercial plaza to the area.

Residents argued the road is already operating beyond capacity.

“It can barely handle what we have now,” said local resident Joanne Keller, who noted that adding more vehicles would only worsen delays. Brooks responded sympathetically, telling residents the board understood their concerns.

When asked whether a traffic study had been conducted prior to approving the project, township officials confirmed that no formal study was required. Supervisor Mark Dugan said while studies can be useful, they are not always necessary.

Dugan said the board relied instead on experience.

“We’ve seen traffic before,” he said, explaining that congestion is not a new issue for the township. Asked what that experience suggested would cause traffic to improve, Brooks said it tends to do so eventually.

Township officials explained that as traffic increases, drivers naturally adjust their behavior. They suggested residents might find alternate routes, leave at different times, or modify travel habits altogether.

Another official added that some people might simply drive less.

Residents said those explanations felt detached from reality.

“I have to get to work,” Keller said, noting that driving less was not a practical option for many residents.

During public comment, multiple residents described near-miss accidents, extended delays, and mounting frustration. One resident said it now takes 20 minutes to travel a single mile during rush hour, a situation he described as worsening rather than stabilizing.

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

Another resident asked whether the township planned to widen Route 19. Brooks said the idea had been discussed “in theory,” but acknowledged practical challenges.

“In practice, it’s complicated,” he said, citing cost, coordination, and disruption. Brooks added that the board did not want to overreact.

The project’s developer, Horizon Ridge Properties, did not attend the meeting but submitted a written statement expressing confidence in the township’s approach. The statement described growth as a natural process and suggested communities adapt over time.

Residents said the burden of adaptation appeared to fall primarily on them.

“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. Dr. Raymond Cole, a transportation engineer, said traffic does not disappear but instead redistributes or worsens.

Cole said increased 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 plays a role.

“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 entail. Brooks suggested incremental improvements over time, such as signage or signal timing adjustments.

Another official suggested residents may need to adjust expectations.

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

Residents remained unconvinced.

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

Several residents pointed to previous developments where similar assurances were made. One noted that traffic concerns raised a decade earlier never resolved.

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

Brooks acknowledged past challenges but maintained confidence.

“This time is different,” he said, though he did not elaborate.

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

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

Residents asked what recourse remained.

“You can continue to provide feedback,” Brooks said, prompting laughter from several attendees.

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.