Jamesburg to improve dangerous intersection

Staff Writer

By brian piech


Jeff Huntley Middlesex County officials are considering placing a traffic light at the intersection of Gatzmer Avenue, Half Acre Road, Lincoln Avenue, East and West Railroad avenues and Route 522 in Jamesburg. Jeff Huntley Middlesex County officials are considering placing a traffic light at the intersection of Gatzmer Avenue, Half Acre Road, Lincoln Avenue, East and West Railroad avenues and Route 522 in Jamesburg.

JAMESBURG — One of the most dangerous and confusing intersections in the county may soon be made safer by the addition of a traffic light.

The intersection of Gatzmer Avenue, Half Acre Road, Lincoln Avenue, East and West Railroad avenues and Route 522 has long plagued local motorists and officials. At the intersection, all of the roads and a railroad line converge with very little traffic control — and motorists say it feels as if you are taking your life in your own hands to venture through the maze.

The intersection was the subject of a September traffic impact analysis conducted by Atlantic Traffic and Design Engineers as part of the borough’s settlement over the Costco depot. The new Costco facility is currently under construction on Possum Hollow Road.

The analysis recommends the intersection be reconfigured to accommodate the flow of traffic and that a traffic light be installed.

Each morning, the analysis showed, 1,530 cars travel through the intersection. In the evening, that number swells to 1,765.

The Costco depot is expected to further increase traffic volume in the intersection, although it is hoped this hike will be minimized by a new connector road which will connect Possum Hollow Road with Cranberry-South River Road.

Police Chief David Lester said that the intersection is a dangerous one.

"A light is badly needed there," he said. "It doesn’t happen often, but every now and then someone drives off the road onto the train tracks because the intersection is confusing."

Lester estimated that 10–15 accidents have occurred at the intersection over the last three years.

There are two crossing guards stationed at the intersection during the hours children need to cross. According to Lester, they are supported periodically by a police officer when they complain that motorists are driving unsafely.

According to Mayor Tony Lamantia, research is being conducted to determine the most effective way to make the intersection even safer.