By Frank Mustac, Special Writer
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP — Residents don’t want the two new traffic lights — called metering signals — that New Jersey Department of Transportation is planning to install on Route 31; one just north of the Pennington circle, the other just south of the circle.
The Township Committee put the wishes of its citizens into writing by way of a resolution the governing body unanimously passed by a 5-0 vote Monday.
The document will be sent to DOT representatives in hopes the recommended changes it contains will become part of a DOT project designed to improve traffic flow and safety at the circle, especially at rush hour.
Back in March, Hopewell Township police reported that more than 180 motor vehicle accidents occurred at the circle during the previous three years.
The DOT is ready to start construction of the project, according to Paul Pogorzelski, township administrator and engineer . Work is expected to be “substantially complete by October 2015,” according to the DOT.
Language in the resolution approved by the committee asks the DOT to eliminate both of the proposed metering signals and to “replace the existing flasher-type signal at the intersection of Ingleside Avenue and Route 31 with a full traffic signal that includes accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists.”
Residents, like Jill Beyer, who lives north of Pennington circle along southbound Route 31 and south of Ingleside Avenue, said they are afraid that if the DOT gets its way and installs a traffic metering signal near the Buy-Rite Wine & Liquor store at 222 Route 31, their driveways would be blocked by backed-up vehicles.
Ms. Beyer thanked Township Committee members for listening to residents’ concerns and for drafting the resolution.
“I’m very pleased with the resolution you have before you right now,” she said during the meeting. “I am hoping that one or more of you speak with the people at NJDOT and encourage them to follow these recommendations.”
Emilie Gingras, who lives on Ingleside Road, also spoke during the meeting. She told committee members of her fear of crossing Route 31 at Ingleside Avenue either in her car or walking with her children or on bicycles.
“It is hard, because every single time I get scared to death for the life of my children and my personal safety,” said Ms. Gingras, adding she would “personally love to have the full signal light” at the what she described as a “very dangerous” intersection.
“The current flashing light is not useful,” she said. “I don’t see the need of a metered light at the Super Buy Rite.”
Language also is included in the resolution arguing against installing a traffic metering signal on the south side of Pennington circle, saying the proposed signal there would only be about 2,000 feet north of an existing regular traffic signal, “which already serves to regulate the flow of traffic to the Pennington circle and serves no purpose other than to add unnecessary expense to the project cost.”
Mr. Pogorzelski said he sent a copy of a pre-approved resolution to the DOT’s public relations representative Kimberly Nance earlier that day.
He also told committee members that, right now, getting a copy of the resolution through to the office of DOT Commissioner Jamie Fox “is probably the most important part.”
“How do we do that in a meaningful way is probably more challenging,” Mr. Pogorzelski said.
Back on June 29, residents had a chance to speak with DOT representatives in person about the project at a pre-construction public information session in Hopewell Township. About 40 people attended, Mr. Pogorzelski said.
