Editorial-Dec. 8, 2005

Take part in making decision on DOT project.

By: Mae Rhine
   Today from 4 to 7 p.m., the state Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting to discuss proposed changes along routes 29, 165 and 179, primarily in Lambertville, but also in West Amwell Township.
   Residents and local officials need to attend this session to get a better idea of how this proposed $6 million project would impact traffic
   The meeting will be at the Justice Center at 25 S. Union St. in Lambertville.
   The proposal includes installing three roundabouts — not traffic circles — at the intersection of Mount Hope Street, the intersection of Quarry Street and a third to replace the Bridge Street traffic signal at Route 179.
   The DOT claims roundabouts promote safety at intersections for motorists and pedestrians. They differ from traffic circles in that they are much smaller, the DOT says, those already in the roundabout have the right of way, those coming in must yield, and the speed limit is 15 mph.
   You, the residents, officials and business owners of this area, asked the DOT for changes to improve safety. It is your obligation to continue to talk with the DOT about the project, which, if approved, wouldn’t be completed until 2010. But if there are no objections, the preliminary design phase of the project would begin as soon as next June so it’s time to speak up.
   This scope of the project extends along Route 29 from the start of the existing four-lane section to Mt. Hope Street, according to the DOT. It also incorporates routes 165 and 179 with Route 165 extending for a quarter mile parallel to Route 29, known locally as Main Street.
   The Route 179 section of the project extends north for almost a mile in Lambertville and then enters West Amwell for less than half a mile to Music Mountain Boulevard.
   Besides the roundabouts, the project would cut the lanes along routes 29 and 165 from four to two with a center-turn lane. Along Route 179, the four lanes would be reduced to one lane going south and two going north.
   Take a drive around this area and ask yourself what you see as the major problems. At the meeting, ask the DOT for examples of roundabouts and take a drive around them. Do they seem safer to you?
   The goal of this project is to improve safety for everyone, including motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists, while preserving the area’s character.
   As a result of prior meetings, the DOT says the project also would reduce the speed limit overall to 25 mph; create additional on-street parking; add landscaping; improve traffic for pedestrians and bicyclist; and require minimal private property acquisition.
   Once residents and officials have approved the project, preliminary design would begin in June and continue through December 2007. The final design would be worked on from January 2008 to January 2009. Then, construction would begin in May 2009 and continue through December 2010.
   These meetings have continued for several years, but now decision time is close. If you can’t make the meeting, comments can be mailed to Lewis K. Branin, New Jersey Department of Transportation, Office of Community Relations, 1035 Parkway Ave., P.O. Box 600, Trenton, N.J., 08625-0600.
   You also can call Mr. Branin at (609) 530-4555 or e-mail him at [email protected].