2 Traffic Studies Approved For Moorestown; Resident Requests A Third

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown Council is moving forward with a pair of traffic studies to see if the speed limits need to be lowered in the township. The first looks at a possible speed limit reduction on North Church Street between Main Street and Flynn Avenue. The other looks at possibly reducing the speed limit on Westfield Road between Borton Landing Road and Bridgeboro Road, and if there needs to be a crosswalk between the Swedes Run Dog Park and the adjacent walkways, bike path and open space park.

Resident Fred Sutherland also requested looking at the possibility of a crosswalk near Yancy Adams Park. A resident who lives across the street from the park seconded that recommendation, saying it’s hard to get across the street in that area.

The speed limit is between 45 and 50 mph in the area, and council said it will consider a crosswalk and accompanying stop signs, to warn drivers crosswalks are upcoming and to avoid sudden stops at the crosswalk.

“We’ve lived there 34 years and the truck traffic is astronomical. They don’t care about our community. They go 65 mph at night and during the day,” said Kathy Sutherland, whose house was hit by a car last year. “That’s an example of what can happen. My husband knows people who have been killed on that street.”

Heidy Citerone also requested the township look at Kings Highway, near the bridge.

“I’ve had to jump out of the way of oncoming traffic,” Citerone said. “We had to rescue a man who fell off his bike. There’s no sidewalk there. It just narrows.”

She said she spoke with the county, which said installing a sidewalk would be the responsibility of the township. County engineers would assist with easement issues. She also asked the township to petition the county to have the speed limit lowered to 30 mph.

Councilwoman Stacy Jordan said the township looked into the issue a few years ago, and would follow up with the county.

The studies were unanimously approved by council at the May 8 meeting, and needed county approval to move forward.

Patch file photo