By Nick Norlen, Staff Writer
Parents at Johnson Park Elementary School are hoping the frequent passing violations they said they see almost every time they visit the school will come to an end with the implementation of a new configuration for the intersection outside the school entrance.
Approximately three months after hearing parents and school officials recount the near-collisions that they say plague both motorists and pedestrians at the intersection of Rosedale Road and General Johnson Drive during peak hours, Mercer County and Princeton Township engineers and police were back at Johnson Park on Thursday to present their solution.
In December, township police reported nearly 50 violations within a short period of time at the site.
According to Principal Robert Ginsberg, the incidents are caused by drivers attempting to pass cars waiting to turn left into the school drive by using the right-turn lane for the Greenway Meadows park entrance.
Mercer County Engineer Greg Sandusky said Thursday that the proposed solution is to move the Belgian block curbing to make the right turn lane available only as drivers get closer to the intersection. In addition, a painted island will be added to General Johnson Drive, and orange, rubber pylons will be installed to discourage passing.
”It should give the driver enough fair warning to stay in their lane, rather than trying to go around,” Mr. Sandusky said. “I think once the drivers get acclimated or see the physical barrier, they’ll abide by it.”
The project will be completed jointly by the township and the county, with the township paying approximately $4,000 for the curbing change, and the county performing the asphalt work, according to Township Engineer Bob Kiser, who said he expects the entire project to cost less than $10,000.
However, the implementation will have to wait until the summer, when the asphalt will be available.
Still, Mr. Sandusky said it will give motorists a chance to become used to the configuration while school is not in session.
Mr. Ginsberg commended the officials for what he called a “conscientious, good-faith effort to address our concerns.”
Though Julie Ramirez, a parent, said she is pleased with the plan, she said she’s worried about what might happen in the next few months at the intersection, which she said is still dangerous.
”The situation remains as urgent to me as it was when we met the first time” she said.
Township Police Sgt. Thomas Murray said he plans to continue patrolling the area whenever the personnel is available.
”We’ll try to do the best we can until we get this done,” he said.
Lauren Taylor, one of the parents who originally raised concerns about the intersection, thanked the police and the other officials for their help.
”I’m holding my breath that for the next few months there’s not an accident,” she said.
