CRANBURY: Town roads getting makeover

By Kaitlyn Kanzler, Special Writer
   CRANBURY — South Main Street will be among those getting a facelift in the next couple of weeks, according to officials.
   Mayor David Cook said the road would be re-paved between Aug. 1 and 2.
   ”The issue with the roadway coming up from South Main Street, from the bridge, going south where the Presbyterian Church is that it is in bad shape,” Mayor Cook said. “The only thing good about it is that I heard it slows the speeders down somewhat, but, besides that, it’s been more miserable and more of a shock to various drivers.”
   The milling is scheduled to start today between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Milling is the process of grinding down the existing pavement and allows workers to inspect the condition of the road underneath the pavement.
   According to Mayor Cook, the paving will take place before the dam and bridge project, and any damaged pavement around that area will be fixed during that time.
   ”The idea is to start paving Aug. 1 and possibly striping by Aug. 2,” Mayor Cook said. “This should be taking place in the next week or so, and I’m proud to announce that.”
   Striping is the process of painting the lines on the road.
   The area affected by the milling and paving include South Main Street, Maplewood Avenue by the Rescue Squad all the way down to and including Park Place, according to the mayor.
   Other roads also will be addressed this coming month, according to officials.
   According to Committeeman Jay Taylor, milling for Old Trenton Road will take place between Aug. 6 and 13.
   The committee also received confirmation it was awarded a $220,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation that would directly affect the downtown area, according to Mayor Cook.
   Mayor Cook said the project would place bricks on curbs and sidewalks to maintain the historic nature of the town.
   ”This is a project that Mr. Taylor was a part of, coordinating with (Township Engineer Bill) Tanner, and others, and this will specifically tie in to the Historical Society on a certain level,” Mayor Cook said.
   The project primarily will address the curbs and sidewalks in the downtown area, but is not part of the township’s efforts to have curbs installed for Shady Oaks, according to Mayor Cook.
   ”The money is approved, and once we receive it, the project will commence,” Mayor Cook said.
   Town Hall will have a map for residents who want to know the exact locations of the paving taking place on South Main Street.