Letter: School Bus Routes Impacted by Route 1 Jughandle Study

To the Editor:

As a resident of Fairview Avenue (the driveway for the Sarnoff Corporation) I have had my share of frustrations with the Traffic Study that is going on in my neighborhood.

I've had many cars u turn on my driveway even when I'm standing there.  I've had to fight to make a left out of my street onto Washington Road in the morning, relying on other motorists to let me know if a car is going to hit me at 50 miles per hour. I've put up with the ugly traffic cones, the doubling of my commute to work, the fear of crossing four lanes of traffic on Alexander Road just to change directions on Route 1.  

All this has been extremely annoying but the latest development raises the issue to a very personal level - my children's safety as they board their school bus.  

Families on Fisher Place and Fairview Avenue were notified late last Friday afternoon that the Sarnoff Corporation will no longer allow the school buses to turn around on their property and going forward, the bus stop for these two streets will be at the corner of Fairview Avenue and Washington Road.  I watched in disbelief this morning and afternoon (Monday) as both buses pulled up on the other side of the road (eastbound) and I was expected to have my children cross this very busy street full of frustrated motorists to get on their bus.  

The transportation department has indicated to me that this was not the intention but they have no choice based on the traffic pattern changes.  This is another huge reason of why this traffic study should be terminated immediately.

Jill Herbst

West Windsor