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Residents press council on dangerous conditions at Old Raritan Road and Westfield Avenue; officials promise review
Summary
Multiple residents told the council the Old Raritan Road/Westfield Avenue intersection has become dangerous, citing speeding, wrong-way driving when trains block crossings, and near misses. Officials said the township will review prior traffic studies, consider signage and meet with residents and police to develop options.
Residents from neighborhoods near Old Raritan Road and Westfield Avenue urged the council to address dangerous traffic conditions at the intersection, saying speeding and drivers bypassing backup train traffic are creating repeated hazards.
Michael Atsley (recorded in the transcript as Michael Atsley/"Michael Atsley Clark") told the council: "Continually, it's getting worse, but more importantly, it's getting very dangerous there." He described multiple near-misses, a drunk driver running up a driveway, and a neighbor recently being struck while leaving a driveway. He added that when trains block crossings, "the people drive up the wrong side of the street" and that drivers there routinely exceed the speed limit.
Glenn Fogarty, who lives by Goodman's Crossing, called the location "a nightmare" and said motorists were not obeying right-of-way rules. Several other residents also testified that conflict at the railroad crossings and lack of safe pedestrian crossings near commercial areas compound the hazard.
Business Administrator Jim Ulrich and Mayor Sal Albanese responded that the township has previously studied the corridor and that staff and police will revisit the issue with traffic experts and meet directly with residents. Ulrich suggested installing a reflective sign with directional arrows and said officials would "have a separate meeting with you on this in terms of what we can do for your specific situation." Mayor Albanese and Council member O'Connor said they drive the corridor and will participate in follow-up meetings. Police Captain Lott was referenced as an official who can supply operational detail; officials asked residents to meet after the session to exchange contact information.
Councilors did not adopt any traffic ordinance at the meeting; the action recorded was direction to staff and police to review the prior traffic study, meet with residents, and report back with recommended measures.
