Heavy Trucks To Be Restricted On Hillsborough Road As Ordinance Introduced

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — An ordinance restricting heavy trucks from driving on Willow Road was introduced by the Hillsborough Township Committee.

Ordinance 2023-09 - unanimously introduced during the May 23 meeting - proposes a four-ton weight restriction on Willow Road between Amwell Road and Hillsborough Road. A second reading and public hearing on the ordinance will be held at the July 18 Committee meeting.

The Township Engineer recommended the ordinance to preserve vehicular and pedestrian public safety as pedestrians and bicyclists use the roadway. The corridor is also used by school buses in the morning and afternoon, according to the township.

"Concern for this was elevated by the proliferation of warehouse applications on streets adjacent to this section of Willow Road," according to the township which pointed to three warehouse applications currently active for Homestead Road.

This area of roadway on Willow Road is primarily residential and includes houses, bike lanes, and the Willow Road Complex which hosts a variety of recreational facilities for children and adults.

"The ordinance would keep the roadway safer for drivers, bikers, and walkers. It allows only trucks making deliveries to a connecting street to travel on the specified section of the road, thereby eliminating the risk of general truck traffic from endangering this residential community," according to the township.

This ordinance went along with Ordinance 2023-08 which removes warehousing, and shipping and receiving facilities as a principal permitted use in certain township zones. Read More: Hillsborough To Remove Warehouse Use As Permitted Use In More Zones

"Ordinance 2023-09 and Ordinance 2023-08 were introduced based on the Township’s right and obligation to protect the public health, safety and welfare of its residents and preserve the natural landscape of the community. These goals are consistent with the Master Plan," according to the township.

Currently, there are six applications before the township for proposed warehouses totaling more than 1 million square feet, according to S.W.A.T. (Stop Warehouses and Trucks).

S.W.A.T. is a group of concerned citizens committed to stopping the construction of the warehouses. For more information visit swat-hb.org.

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