Lambertville is concerned about the opening next year of an 87-unit senior housing complex on that stretch of county road, known locally as Brunswick Pike.
By: Linda Seida
LAMBERTVILLE The City Council again will ask the county to lower the speed limit on Route 518 to make it safer now that a large number of senior citizens will be moving into the area next year.
"It’s one of our higher accident locations," Police Director Bruce Cocuzza said Monday.
Although Mr. Cocuzza did not have accident statistics readily available, he said some of the prime sites for accidents on that road are located near or at the top of the hill as drivers pull out of side streets or exit driveways as well as at the intersection of Route 165 closer to the heart of town.
The city wants the speed limit lowered to 25 mph. The posted speed limit is between 35 mph and 40 mph on Route 518, which is also known as Brunswick Pike.
An age-restricted, independent living facility of 87 units is being built on Brunswick Pike by Community Investment Strategies of Bordentown. It is expected to open in January or February, according to Mayor David Del Vecchio.
Although the city made a similar request to the county in February 2003, no action has been taken yet by the county.
"The county didn’t say no; they said they’d look at it," said Mayor David Del Vecchio.
With the opening of the facility for senior citizens, "now more than ever" officials believe the lowered speed limit is "appropriate," Mayor Del Vecchio said.