There’s a thread going viral on East Brunswick Helping Each Other (EBHO) — and not because it’s funny, inspiring, or heartwarming. It’s viral because it’s raw, unfiltered frustration from residents who feel like no one in power is listening.
The topic? Traffic. But it’s not just traffic — it’s what that traffic represents.
Getting off the Turnpike onto Route 18 has become an unpredictable mess. Residents are sitting in gridlock at all hours of the day. They’re not just annoyed. They’re defeated.
“This traffic getting off the turnpike onto 18 due to construction is absolutely ridiculous,” wrote De A., kicking off a flood of replies.
The reactions came fast:
“Let’s build MORE housing!” snapped H.K., sarcastically.
“Oh don’t worry, they are and will,” added S.D.
“Thank Mayor Cohen,” fired back E.C.C., clearly not mincing words.
The general tone? People feel trapped in a town that’s growing faster than its infrastructure can handle. Projects keep getting greenlit, construction never ends, and traffic gets worse by the week.
“Every road in East Brunswick is HORRIBLE. Let’s build some more apts,” said M.T.
“The sad thing is it will do very little to help traffic… more people adds to more congestion,” echoed M.D.
And the blame isn’t vague — it’s pointed.
The mayor’s name came up more than once, often as the target of deep disappointment. “Thank Mayor Cohen,” wasn’t meant as praise. And when one user joked, “Make East Brunswick New York City,” it didn’t feel like satire — it felt like resignation.
“The draw of living in the suburbs was that it was an escape… now we are just a sad extension of the city,” C.B. lamented.
These aren’t isolated complaints — this is a community raising its collective voice. People who’ve lived here for decades are questioning whether it’s worth staying.
“I lived in East Brunswick for over 70 years. I just moved last month. I do not miss that traffic one bit,” said J.Q.
And this might be the most telling quote of them all:
“It’s never gonna end,” wrote W.S.
That hopelessness? That’s what’s spreading.
This isn’t just a traffic issue. It’s a trust issue. Residents feel like they’re not being heard, like the decisions being made are out of step with what people actually want. It’s not about being anti-development. It’s about development without planning, without foresight, without accountability.
As the town barrels forward with new apartments, more commercial space, and even bigger plans for Route 18 — the people stuck in traffic are starting to wonder: Who is any of this really for?
Maybe it’s time East Brunswick leadership scrolled through EBHO and saw for themselves.
Because if they did, they’d see it’s not just congestion that’s building — it’s resentment.
