Don’t mix traffic
with families
To the editor:
I am trying to understand the issue of public safety and quality of life with one of the traffic "roundabouts" proposed for Lambertville.
It was a tractor-trailer that tragically crashed into the video store and cost the life of one of our residents only a few short years back. One of these three roundabouts is proposed within 100 feet of 15 homes and businesses and one block from the popular children’s playground at Cavallo Park.
This roundabout is designed to divert large trucks, cars, motorcycles, noise, vibration and dust directly at our homes on South Main Street.
Diverting 80,000-pound quarry trucks, tractor trailers, cars and traffic within feet of the front doors of the homes of children, families and elderly residents with the occasional loose pets sounds like we have already forgotten about the tragedy of that accident that only struck a few years ago.
Motorcycle muffler laws don’t even seem to exist in Lambertville let alone the loud trucks. Also consider the devaluation of the mass of homes this will affect and lower taxes? on Wilson, South Union, South Main, Swan and Ferry streets when diverted traffic goes through these streets.
It was this accident that made national news and new laws designed to keep these large trucks far away from residential areas. To protect pedestrian safety, you could put in flashing yellow lights at the crosswalks and reduce the speed limit, effective immediately.
To also promote bicycle riding on the state highway especially on River Road seems like enabling another tragedy to happen. It would be providing a means to mix bike riding, trucks and cars all on one street.
One of the most beautiful, scenic, safe bike trails runs about 23 miles along the canal in town. A special boardwalk/bridge was installed on the path at the north end of town. Bike riders can breathe exhaust free air and take your eyes off the road and enjoy the view and wildlife.
How would fire, ambulance and emergency vehicles negotiate the new hurdles of backed up traffic on a single lane and three roundabouts the length of town? These roundabouts are meant to be traffic-calming devices, but how calm will motorists be when they can’t pass a slow driver up River Road from Trenton for almost half an hour?
This idea sounds bad for everyone motorists, truckers, bike riders and the residents of town. Put a stop sign instead of a yield sign at Wilson and South Main, improve the crosswalks with blinking yellow lights and signage and lower the speed limit if your interest is public safety. It will cost next to nothing while being effective immediately.
How soon we have forgotten about the life that was senselessly taken from one of our residents. In that case, the truck was supposed to be going straight without having to negotiate any of the three roundabouts. Why divert trucks and other types of traffic directly into the line of fire of the homes, young children and residents with a streaming line of traffic, headlights and noise while on the way to work and their busy lives?
This will be in all types of weather all day, all night, all year long? Mixing heavy traffic into a residential neighborhood is a very serious safety issue and a bad idea.
Lambertville
What to do
with plastics
To the editor:
I am a concerned Hunterdon County resident.
Over the course of the last few months, I have sent several e-mails and letters to elected government officials, inquiring where to bring my recyclable plastic.
Lambertville does not accept any plastic. Plastic is the leading packaging on all goods from mil and water to cleaning products.
Being one of the riches counties, not only in New Jersey, but in the country, it is irresponsible not to recycle.
I am one of many concerned residents and I feel the story will draw some attention to the problem.
Following is the letter I wrote and circulated to the Lambertville mayor, DEP, EPA, Hunterdon County Freeholders, Lambertville City Council and Gov. Corzine.
"Plastic plays a great role in packaging many of our everyday products.
Everything from shampoos to milk comes in plastic containers.
As we all know, all of our waste is beginning to become a problem. But, thanks to recycling, we are not still able to have these convenient products without the waste.
However, Lambertville does not recycle plastic. I an curious as to what steps are being made in starting a program.
In the meanwhile, I would like to know where the local recycling center drop-off center is.
I currently collect two full garbage bags a month. If you multiply that by the 4,000 residents in this town along, you can’t help but see a problem; a solvable one at that."
Lambertville

