Ward Street residents presented a plan to the Borough Council that would close the road’s bridge to all but pedestrian traffic.
By: Scott Morgan
HIGHTSTOWN Traffic has long been a problem for many borough residents. Monday, some of them offered an option around it.
An entourage of East Ward Street residents presented a plan Monday to Borough Council that would close the Ward Street bridge to all but pedestrian traffic. The idea, the brainchild of residents of the high-traffic avenue, suggests eliminating "inappropriate" pass-through traffic on East Ward Street by converting the aged bridge, which spans Peddie Lake, to a minipark or by closing off legal access to automotive traffic, save for pedestrian or emergency traffic.
Resident Mark Lindbloom led off a three-part presentation saying the amount of pass-through traffic has "gotten significantly worse for Ward Street residents" in recent years. Mr. Lindbloom said some the street’s residents gathered for a meeting a couple weeks ago to discuss the amount traffic often bound for the New Jersey Turnpike that uses the bridge as a bypass around the center of town. He said it is a popular complaint among his fellow residents that it is "difficult to walk the streets" for fear of being hit by speeding cars and heavy trucks.
The group discussed certain traffic-control measures with the intention of solving "the problem, not the symptoms," Mr. Lindbloom said.
Recognizing that such a project is easier said than done, the residents offered other solutions such as posting street signs that announce the closure of the street to through traffic to reduce the number of vehicles that use the thoroughfare, or at least calm the traffic that goes through. Some suggestions included speed bumps along Ward Street, medians and the reduction of the street’s speed limit from 25 mph to 10 or 15 mph.
Keith White, another Ward Street resident, outlined the need to seek answers soon, as the county (which owns the bridge) is planning its periodic structural improvements to the bridge. The estimated cost of improvements is $1 million. Mr. White said it would be better to save that money and use it for purposes that would not continue or enhance traffic problems.
"Why spend a million dollars every 20 years or so to fix a bridge most people don’t belong on," he said.
Particularly distressing to the residents is an idea that has been considered by the county in previous years to tear down the existing bridge and build a new, concrete span in its place. The idea scares residents who believe it would only invite more vehicles.
As outlined in a written proposal, the group’s rationale states residents’ concerns go beyond safety and into the historic. As a historic place wishing to bill itself as a pedestrian-friendly community, it makes sense to provide more pedestrian-friendly alternatives.
The group’s proposal was met with a mixture of support and uncertainty. While some residents present, such as Eugene Sarafin and Deborah MacMillan, lauded the proposal, others, such as Torry Watkins and Democratic council candidate Joan Woomer said closing off a major borough throughway would only displace traffic elsewhere.
Councilman Larry Quattrone responded to one of the group’s concerns that school buses are not supposed to use the Ward Street Bridge. Mr. Quattrone said he would call the school district and tell them to instruct bus drivers to use alternate routes.
For the moment, the proposal is just that. The group presented what it considers to be the first step in a dialogue with the borough aimed at solving the traffic problem.
Councilman Richard Pratt said he can relate to residents’ concerns, though he doesn’t want to see the street closed. Mr. Pratt has said he decided to run for council in an effort to provide a safer neighborhood for his son, Ian, on Stockton Street. While he said he feels closing the street would only cause traffic problems elsewhere in town, he is willing to look into traffic-calming devices for Ward Street.
Councilwoman Nancy Walker-Laudenberger said the group’s ideas have "a lot of merit" and the council should not just dismiss concerns out of turn.
"I do think we have to take the concerns of these residents seriously," she said.
Councilman Dan Buriak had a historical take. Mr. Buriak said he relates to the grassroots campaign to preserve the bridge and return Ward Street to a more pedestrian avenue. He suggested looking into having the bridge identified as a historic landmark. The bridge, which is over 100 years old, would easily qualify for historic recognition by the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office, he said, as the NJHPO requires a structure to be 50 years of age.
Once the bridge is landmarked, Mr. Buriak said, it would be safe from encroachment and would be out of the county’s hands. From there, "a world of possibilities" can come forth.
Said Mayor Amy Aughenbaugh of the proposal, "It’s got everybody thinking."