The state Department of Transportation is looking to eliminate specific left turns to make Route 130 safer.
By: Joseph Harvie
The state wants to make Route 130 safer.
To do that, the state Department of Transportation proposed eliminating left turns at Wheeling and Stults roads onto Route 130 south, and extending the length of left-turn lanes near medians used by drivers turning from the highway and onto side roads.
The proposal was made to the Township Council Tuesday by the DOT’s Congestion Busters Team.
Catherine Berringer of the DOT said lengthening the left-turn lanes used by drivers on both sides Route 130 who are heading to Stults, Wheeling and Georges roads, would allow cars to stack farther from the turning point, yet still remain out of traffic.
Ms. Berringer said the changes would be made as part of the DOT’s plan to make road travel easier near N.J. Turnpike Exit 8A. She said the highway crossings were close together and prohibiting some left-turn lanes would make the roads safer.
Members of the Township Council were receptive to the proposal.
"This has safety written all over it," Councilman Joe Camarota said.
Councilman Charles Carley said there are several places to make left turns across the highway and anything that would make the road safer would be helpful, especially since an age-restricted community is expected to be built near the intersection of Route 130 and Georges Road.
DOT representative Tom Condash said Tuesday that Wheeling and Stults roads would be altered at their intersections with Route 130 to prevent left turns. He also said no-left-turn signs would be put up at the intersections.
Mayor Frank Gambatese said the township would move forward in support of the improvements and any public hearings that would be held if ordinances are adopted to get the work done.
On Tuesday the Township Council will vote on a resolution in support of the improvements to Route 130.
Township Public Affairs Coordinator Ron Schmalz said the improvements are part of larger plan to improve traffic flow.
He said plans also call for the placement of color coded signs to direct tractor-trailer drivers to industrial parks near the exit in an effort to keep them from getting lost in small township communities.
Mr. Schmalz said that he used an aerial map and drove around the township identifying the 132 warehouses in South Brunswick.