By JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer
NORTH BRUNSWICK — Hundreds of homeowners who live along Finnegans Lane may soon see improvements to a roadway that many deem unsafe.
Through the urging of North Brunswick and South Brunswick officials on behalf of their residents, Middlesex County authorized the Alaimo Group to study the county highway for a concept plan proposal.
Dozens of neighbors expressed their disappointment in the lack of safety on the roadway while offering opinions on how to fix it during a public information session held by the Middlesex County Engineering Department on July 14 at Congregation B’Nai Tikvah on the North Brunswick side of Finnegans Lane.
“Both townships desired it. They would like to see something done. They have expressed there are some concerns and problems,” said Richard E. Wallner, county engineer. “It’s unique because of the way residents came out. Normally, we leave it up to the townships. Normally, townships represent the residents.”
Although Carl Messina, project team leader for Alaimo, said nothing has been proposed yet, the comment-gathering session is one of the first steps in moving forward.
He said some suggestions he heard were installing a traffic light at Kory Drive and Tulip Drive, finding a way to make left turns safely along Finnegans Lane and possibly adding a crosswalk and bus stop. Attendees were invited to submit comment cards with their additional suggestions.
He noted that the Route 1 and Route 27 intersections are not part of the study because they are under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Transportation, not Middlesex County.
Messina said the conceptual study should be completed in about nine months. The cost of the study was not known at the time, though Wallner said the county and both townships would share financial responsibility for any improvements.
“We want to find out what problems there are and when we find the problem, what is the solution we can make,” Wallner said. “They have obvious frustrations, and we are going to have to look and see how we’re going to address them and alleviate them.”
Adil S. Ahmed of North Brunswick is definitely frustrated, as his father was injured in a car accident on Finnegans Lane five years ago during his daily walk. Age 68 at the time, he broke his hips and fractured several bones in his legs. Therefore, Ahmed formed the Finnegans Lane Community Association to try to bring changes forward.
“If anything, I’m just excited this meeting is happening and people are engaged,” he said. “The freeholders are really realizing people care.”
Ahmed said a lot of senior citizens walk along Finnegans Lane, especially toward Route 27 where shopping centers exist. He said during snowstorms, school buses do not enter residential developments so children are forced to walk on the road. He also mentioned a commuter bus that travels into New York, making it difficult for North Brunswick residents to cross Finnegans Lane to catch the bus.
He said motorists could be forced to slow down if ridges are placed in the roadway or if flashing yellow or red lights are installed. He also suggested “Children at Play” signs.
“This road is a way for the community to combine,” he said. “I’m hoping folks remember our numbers matter. … Too many accidents have happened on this road.”
Contact Jennifer Amato at [email protected].