City to spend $23,351 for three to be installed between Ferry adn Mt. Hope streets
By: Cynthia Williamson
LAMBERTVILLE The City Council Monday unanimously authorized spending $23,351 for a trio of speedhumps to be installed on South Union between Ferry and Mt. Hope streets.
Some residents are opposed to the measure and advocate increased law enforcement. Others say the traffic calming devices could be the answer to controlling speeders on the road they complained has become a shortcut from Route 29 to the center of town and vice versa.
The council also considered limiting access to South Union and Mt. Hope during "commuter" hours between 7 and 9 a.m. and 4 and 6 p.m. as an alternative to speed bumps, but withdrew support for the concept because it could increase traffic congestion on Bridge Street and routes 165, 179 and 29.
Also discussed was posting "no thru traffic" or "local traffic only" signs at the foot of South Union and Mt. Hope.
"We have to consider how what we do will impact other streets," Councilwoman Cindy Ege said.
Mayor David Del Vecchio said it’s not as easy as "putting up a sign." All of the sign proposals would need state Department of Transportation approval, and the council is doubtful it would be granted.
"Let’s get police officers down here," said resident Ed Berchtold, who is opposed to speed humps. "Why can’t we get police down there?"
Dan Marley is in favor of increased enforcement, but only if it’s done with a restraint. "I get a little concerned when there’s overzealous enforcement," he said.
Ms. Ege agreed more police presence is needed, saying speed humps are "only going to work for a certain percentage of people."
Mayor Del Vecchio said "part of the dilemma" is while officers can be told where to concentrate their efforts, "you can’t tell them to write tickets."
A resident said he’s "really concerned" about motorists "flying down the street" at 40 and 50 miles per hour.
The man’s wife said she has stood in the middle of the road so motorists have to slow down.
"No matter what you do you’re not going to get 100 percent of the people to slow down," Amy DeFazio said. "But speed bumps will help speeding."
Mr. Cocuzza said a majority of motorists are traveling the 25-mph speed limit or close to it but because the street is narrow it appears they are going faster.
"I’ve had officers out there at rush hour and at various times and what they’re telling me is that it hasn’t been extremely productive," he said.
A resident said they would "like to see law enforcement explored further," adding studies have shown the traffic devices can have a "detrimental or adverse affect."
Mr. Cocuzza said based on the information he has read, the 12-foot-wide speed bumps under consideration are "relatively benign" because the incline is so gradual vehicles won’t "bottom out."
"Some people just don’t like them in front of their house," he said.
A South Union resident said the devices are used in Titusville but citizens she spoke to told her the speed humps are noisy and only encouraged motorists to drive other routes.
"If it’s done anything, they haven’t noticed," she said.
Councilman Steve Stegman and resident John Hencheck said residents need to be more conscientious by traveling the speed limit or stopping for pedestrians.
"Share feelings with friends and neighbors," Mr. Hencheck advised, "because we may all be contributing to the problem."