City shelves plan to lower Delaware Road speed limit

Published 12:00 am Saturday, May 3, 2008

FRANKLIN— After no residents spoke during a public comment session, the City Council took no action Monday night regarding reducing the speed limit on Delaware Road.

Some citizens had expressed concerns to Ward 2 Councilman Charles Wrenn about increased traffic on the road due to more houses being erected.

That portion of the road, from behind Hunterdale Christian Church south to the railroad tracks, was evaluated by Kimley-Horn & Assoc.

The consultants recommended a reduction in the speed limit from 35 to 25 miles per hour along that section of the road, based on the fact that 25-mile-per-hour speed limits are typical in residential areas such as this; that a reduction in the speed limit would allow safer access to the church, fire station, etc.; and that a slower speed will help drivers’ reaction time when arriving at the intersection at Delaware and Hunterdale roads while traveling north.

The company also recommended that the city consider having the police department monitor the newly posted area, consider removing a large pine tree at the intersection of Hunterdale and Delaware roads to improve visibility, and monitor the possibility of any changes needed at the intersection after the car wash opens.

Wrenn had suggested in March that people should be given an opportunity to speak on the matter during &uot;some type of forum.&uot;

When no one came to the meeting, Wrenn suggested not lowering the speed limit, saying that he &uot;takes the lack of attendance to mean there is no serious consideration&uot; for doing so.

He said it had been advertised several ways since the March meeting and that he had even called back a couple of the people who called him with the initial concerns.

&uot;Right now, (construction) is not expanding as much,&uot; he said.

The councilman added that perhaps years down the road, when more building begins to take place again, the issue could be revisited.