EAST BRUNSWICK–Speed limits on Church Lane, Fresh Ponds Road and Riva Avenue will be reduced.
Mayor Brad Cohen said over the past year he has received many calls and letters from residents regarding the safety of the aforementioned roads, according to information provided in a prepared statement.
“Most of the issues are in regards to the speed of vehicular traffic, accidents and unsafe driving. In order to consider any change in speed limits, New Jersey state law requires that our engineering department conduct a Comprehensive Engineering and Traffic Evaluation,” Cohen said in the statement.
Any proposed change must be consistent with the manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devises and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. This is prescribed by the New Jersey State statutes, according to a prepared statement.
“As part of the study, the department reviewed recent traffic counts, speed survey data, traffic accident data and the current roadway geometry. If you would like to review the traffic evaluation, please feel free to stop by our planning/engineering department,” Cohen said in the statement.
As a result of the studies, the township will reduce the speed limits as follows: Church Lane will be reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph, Fresh Ponds Road will be reduced from 40 mph to 35 mph and Riva Avenue will be reduced from 40 mph to 30 mph.
In addition, due to the high number of accidents, the current flashing light at the intersection of Church Lane and Fresh Ponds Road needs to be upgraded to a fully actuated signal. This is scheduled for 2019, according to Cohen.
During the April 9 council meeting, when the ordinance was adopted, Business Administrator Joseph Criscuolo said the speed limits will be changed during the second week in May and there will be signs posting the changes prior to the changeover.
The residents who live on these roads have been informed about the speed limit changes, according to Criscuolo.
“The safety of our residents and those who visit East Brunswick will remain my number one concern. Please be aware that these new speed restrictions will be strictly enforced,” Cohen said in the statement. “I thank you for your continued support and appreciate the efforts of all those who reached out to me on this issue. We are a great community because of your active participation in your government.”
For more information, visit www.eastbrunswick.org/content/885/101/default.aspx.
Contact Vashti Harris at [email protected].