By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
LAMBERTVILLE — Concerned about speeders, South Franklin Street residents planned to meet Wednesday (Feb. 25) with city officials and an engineer at the Justice Center to brainstorm a deterrent.
Resident Paul Gorecki told the mayor and the City Council his car was smashed and totaled by a driver who lost control last month while exiting a ramp from St. John’s cemetery, which some drivers use as a shortcut.
Residents say icy conditions exacerbate the problem.
”Part of the problem is that the city of Lambertville salts both Boozer and South Franklin, but not the roadway and ramp through the cemetery, as it is a private road,” said neighbor Steve Robbins.
”And that can give drivers a false sense of security. They suddenly hit that ramp going down and it’s roller-coaster time. That is what happened when Paul’s car was totaled.”
Mr. Robbins said he believes speed humps may be a solution, but a city engineer previously said they could not be installed on the steep road.
Residents appealed to the city for a solution two years ago, and again last month.
The speed on South Franklin Street is posted at 25 mph.
Residents have said speeders seeking a shortcut shoot out of the cemetery onto their road. They also say some drivers leave the nearby Woodcrest development via an emergency vehicle-only exit, taking a shortcut to the heart of the city.
Public Works Director Paul Cronce said he has spoken with officials from St. John’s, who agreed to install a chain at the cemetery entrance. However, St. John’s wanted a chain only in the winter months. They wanted the cemetery open in warmer months to allow visits to the graves.
”They want to open it up,” Mr. Cronce said.
Also, they would not be able to open and close the chain on a daily basis.
”They don’t have the personnel to go up there and open it and close it every day,” Mr. Cronce said.

