The DOT held a public meeting in December at the Justice Center, but many people said they didn’t know about it.
By: Linda Seida
LAMBERTVILLE Months ago, residents said they wanted another public meeting to discuss the state Department of Transportation’s plan to redesign Route 29 and install three roundabouts in the city.
They’re still waiting.
The DOT held a public information meeting in December at the Justice Center, but many people didn’t know about it. Others found out just a day before it was held.
Some who attended the open house-type gathering asked the DOT to return and hold a question-and-answer session. A DOT representative, Amy Kennard of the Division of Project Planning and Development, said the agency would come back if the city requested it.
Ms. Kennard did not immediately return a phone call from The Beacon.
Sandra Hanna, who owns property on South Main Street, asked the City Council on Monday to grease the wheels and get the DOT back to meet with residents.
The city has been asking, according to Council President Cynthia Ege. The delay could be due to the agency’s reorganization with a new commissioner under the new administration.
Mrs. Ege said it seems as if "it’s kind of on hold right now. We keep sending e-mails (asking) ‘What’s the status? What’s the status?’"
Mayor David Del Vecchio and the council agreed to reach out to the DOT again.
The city also has agreed to add a link titled Route 29-Route 165 improvements to its new Web site at www.Lambertvillenj.org. The link is not up yet, but eventually visitors will be able to sign up through the link to receive e-mail alerts about upcoming meetings with the DOT.
There is no firm date for the link to be added. Residents should keep checking the Web site.
Councilman Ron Pittore said it would be preferable to hold two public meetings to make sure everyone who wants to attend has the opportunity.
After the December meeting, Mayor Del Vecchio appointed Mr. Pittore and Mrs. Ege as the city’s liaisons to the DOT. Residents were asked to e-mail and phone Mr. Pittore and Mrs. Ege with their concerns and questions.
"I’m still getting e-mails and phone calls," Mr. Pittore said. "We have to cut this off at some point and have a meeting. Frankly, I don’t have any idea if this is a good or bad project."
Some residents have had no problem making up their minds on the project’s merits.
"You do need to restrict the speed limit, but you don’t need roundabouts," Gene Lelie told the council Monday.
"The judge and the jury are still out on the roundabouts," Mrs. Ege said. But the DOT’s plan contains other "really good elements. I don’t think we want to throw the whole thing out."
This project extends along Route 29 from the start of the existing four-lane roadway at the south end of the city to Mount Hope Street. It also incorporates routes 165 and 179 with Route 165 extending for a quarter-mile parallel to Route 29.
The Route 179 portion of the plan extends north for almost a mile in Lambertville before entering West Amwell for less than half a mile to Music Mountain Boulevard.
The $6 million plan calls for three roundabouts: at the intersection of Mount Hope Street and Route 29; at Quarry Street where it spills out near Route 29; and the third to replace the traffic light at Route 179 and Bridge Street.
The proposal 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.

