Lower speed limits eyed for 2 roads

Safety is a concern

By: Stephanie Brown
   MONROE — Drivers traveling on Possum Hollow Road and portions of Dey Grove Road may have to slow down.
   The Township Council introduced an ordinance Sept. 6 to reduce the speed by up to 15 mph on sections of Possum Hollow Road, and by 5 mph on the southeastern half of Dey Grove Road.
   Township officials say the ordinance is in response to residents’ concerns about the speed of the roads.
   The council can set a speed limit on a road as long as it follows procedures of review established by the state Department of Transportation, principally a recording of the frequency and speed of traffic in the area and a survey of the numbers of homes in the area and the distances between them, said Township Engineer Ernie Feist.
   Before the speed limit changes can be implemented, DOT spokesperson Erin Phallon said the state must approve the ordinance. She said the length of the review process depends on the amount of information the municipality submits with the ordinance.
   Mr. Feist said the main reason for adjusting the speed limit was based on the number of houses and driveway curb-cuts on each of the streets.
   Possum Hollow Road used to run from Monroe to Jamesburg, but was divided into two zones with the construction of Costco warehouse. Both zones remained at 40 mph.
   The first zone is the portion of Possum Hollow Road that runs through Forsgate golf course from Forsgate Drive to the dead-end at the railroad bridge. About five housing developments are located on Zone 1, and golf carts cross the road to gain access to the golf course.
   Zone 2 is the portion of Possum Hollow Road that runs from Docks Corner Road to the Costco distribution facility. About nine homes are located on the short strip of roadway.
   If the ordinance is passed, the speed limits would be changed to 35 mph in Zone 1 and 25 mph in Zone 2.
   Mr. Feist called the reduced speeds more appropriate, "reflecting that Possum Hollow is no longer a through-way."
   Dey Grove Road is divided into four zones. Zone 1 is from Perrineville Road to Jurgelsky Road, Zone 2 is from Jurgelsky Road to the intersection of North Bergen Mills Road, Zone 3 is from the North Bergen Mills intersection to the Bergen Mills intersection, and Zone 4 is from the Bergen Mills intersection to the Middlesex County-Monmouth County line.
   The change would cover Zone 3, which is currently 30 mph and 25 mph at a curve, and Zone 4, which is currently 35 mph. If the ordinance is passed the new speed limits would be 25 mph and 30 mph, respectively.