FRANKLIN
TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC
SAFETY BUREAU
TO: Kenneth Daly - Township Manager
FROM: SFC Robert Vornlocker - Traffic Safety Bureau Supervisor
DATE: April 1, 2002
SUBJECT: Middlebush Traffic Study
After consultation with Township Engineer Joseph Russo and a thorough review
of the Orth-Rodgers study the following recommendations are made:
Somerset County should be encouraged to work toward design of
the Middlebush Bypass. (fig7-Model)
While Orth-Rodgers recommends alignment #2, it is my recommendation
that alignment #3 be pursued, as this would create one continuous
road from Route 27 to Easton Avenue. While it is recognized that
this alignment requires the acquisition of two structures, from
a traffic safety standpoint it is the most efficient in terms of
moving traffic. It also makes Amwell Rd. coming from the west the
minor leg of the intersection of the bypass and Amwell Rd. This,
in fact, is the approach with the least amount of volume and therefore
the most appropriate to be the minor approach. It should also be
recognized that regardless what one's preferred alignment is, the
final decision will be made after a full environmental impact study
and cost analysis.
The bypass, from beginning of design, could take 5-10 years or
more before construction begins. In the interim several of the
localized improvements detailed in the study should be made. These
improvements, which are recommended whether the bypass is built
or not, should be done while the bypass is in design phase. Work
on the localized improvements will in no way delay construction
of the bypass. The following are, in order of importance, the recommended
improvements:
1. Traffic signal at Amwell Rd. and South Middlebush Rd. (SMB-Amwell)
- From a safety standpoint, this is the most hazardous intersection
in the study area. It is my opinion that this intersection could
be signalized with very little change to the present alignment.
This would be accomplished by returning South Middlebush Rd. to
two-way traffic and removing Thomson Pkwy. from the circulation
plan. Alternately, Thomson Pkwy. could remain in the plan, with
movements being limited to right turns onto Amwell Rd. If no change
in alignment is necessary it is possible that this signal could
be installed in 18 months to 2 years from the time a decision is
made to move forward.
2. Intersection improvement at Amwell Rd. and Cedar Grove La.
(CG-Amwell)- This improvement
is vital for the bypass to work and would create a true "T" intersection,
which would process traffic much more efficiently than the present
alignment. Even if the bypass is not built this improvement is
necessary for safer and more expeditious movement of traffic. As
this improvement would require considerable right of way acquisition
and significant changes to the intersection geometry, the time
estimate for completion is longer than South Middlebush Rd. traffic
signal. With no objection to the land acquisition by property owners
this intersection could be improved in 2-3 years.
A. In addition to the improvements at South Middlebush Rd. and
Cedar Grove La., an improvement not included in the Orth-Rodgers
study but still recommended is the reconstruction of Amwell Rd.
between South Middlebush Rd. and Cedar Grove La. This should
include curbing, 12' travel lanes and 8' shoulders. This would
improve both capacity and safety issues.
1. Cedar Grove La. widening - This improvement would extend to
Amwell Rd. the improvements that Somerset County has scheduled
to begin in the Spring of 2003 for Cedar Grove La. from Easton
Ave. to New Brunswick Rd. This improvement consists of 12' travel
lanes, 8' shoulders and a 12' center dual left turn lane and should
be done for the entire length before the bypass is built. This
improvement, too, would require significant right of way acquisition,
but could be completed in 4 years.
2. South Middlebush Rd. widening - This improvement, which is
not included in the Orth-Rodgers study, would increase the width
of South Middlebush Rd. between Claremont Rd. and Bennetts La.
(beginning of bypass) to 12' travel lanes and 8' shoulders and
the addition of left turn lanes for the intersections of Cortelyous
La. and Jacques La. Additionally, improved drainage should be installed.
This would create a safer and more efficient roadway, similar to
what exists south of Claremont Rd. through Society Hill. If the
bypass is not approved, this improvement is still recommended,
but would be extended north to Railroad Ave. This improvement would
require both right of way acquisition, encroachment onto State-owned
Six Mile Run property and significant wetlands issues. The estimated
time for completion would be similar to the Middlebush Bypass.
In addition to the above listed improvements, the following are my comments
on the other improvements recommended in the study:
1. Elizabeth Ave. widening to 4 lanes - This improvement does
not seem necessary at this point, given the volume of traffic presently
using Elizabeth Ave. Somerset County's present improvement project,
which includes improved drainage, shoulders and curbing is sufficient
for current conditions.
2. New Brunswick Rd. alignment at Cedar Grove La. - This intersection
needs to be improved as soon as possible but should be tied to
any future development of the northwest corner (Janho property)
rather than be funded by the County/Township.
3. Elizabeth Ave. and New Brunswick/School House Rd. alignment
- This realignment of New Brunswick Rd. is necessary and will be
completed by Pulte Homes as part of the Stone Manor (formerly Colonial
Park) development. The completion of this realignment should be
required prior to occupation of homes within the Pulte development.
4. Elizabeth Ave. and Amwell Rd. signal and intersection improvements
- It is recommended that the signal phasing at this intersection
be modified to include a lead green arrow for eastbound Amwell
Rd. No other improvements are recommended at this time.
5. Elizabeth Ave. and Weston Rd. signal installation - This intersection
is scheduled to be signalized by Somerset County as part of the
current improvement project.
6. Amwell Rd. and Van Cleef Rd. intersection/signal improvements
- It is recommended that additional green time be assigned to Van
Cleef Rd. No additional improvements are recommended at this time.
7. Cedar Grove La. and Weston Rd. signal installation - This intersection
is scheduled to be signalized by Somerset County.
8. Cedar Grove La. and Treptow Rd. signal installation - Somerset
County has identified this intersection as in need of a signal.
This improvement should be done in conjunction with Weston Rd.
9. Cedar Grove La. and Pierce St. intersection improvements -
This intersection will be improved as part of the widening project
to be undertaken by Somerset County in 2003.
10. South Middlebush Rd. and Railroad Ave. intersection improvement
- The addition of a left turn lane for northbound South Middlebush
Rd. is not recommended.
11. Van Cleef Rd. and Blackwells Mills Rd. intersection improvements
- If the bypass is approved for construction only minor sightline
improvements to the northeast corner are recommended. If the bypass
is not approved this intersection should be considered for a signal
in the near future.
12. New Brunswick Rd. and Davidson Ave. signal installation -
This intersection will be signalized by Pulte Homes. This improvement
should be completed before the occupation of homes in the
Pulte development.
13. Davidson Ave. and Atrium Dr. intersection improvements/signal
installation - As there is sufficient roadway width, it is recommended
that the intersection be re-striped to include a left turn lane
for southbound Davidson Ave. at Atrium Dr. No other improvements
are recommended at this time.
14. Pierce St. and Atrium Dr. intersection improvements/signal
installation - No improvements are recommended at this time.
The following improvements, while not included in the Orth-Rodgers
study, are also recommended to improve volume and safety concerns.
These improvements are necessary to address east-west traffic in
the northwest industrial/commercial section of the Township, which
has a trickle down effect on the Middlebush area. If more commuters
can be encouraged to use Pierce St. to access Cottontail La./Weston
Canal Rd./I-287 and the Township businesses, Easton Ave. should
experience a reduction in volume. This reduction in volume will
have a positive effect on traffic all the way back to Middlebush.
1. Pierce St. between Elizabeth Ave. and Belmont Dr. roadway improvements
- This improvement would widen Pierce St. to 40' and include a
through/right turn and left turn lane at the intersections of Elizabeth
Ave. and Belmont Dr. This improvement is necessary to promote east-west
movement to/from the Davidson Ave. corridor to/from Cottontail
La./Weston-Canal Rd. Consideration should also be given to a change
at the intersection of Pierce St. and Belmont Dr., making the stop
street Belmont Dr. and the through street Pierce St. this is necessary
as volumes on Pierce St. are expected to increase once the signals
are installed at the Elizabeth Ave. and Davidson Ave. intersections.
2. Pierce St. and Cottontail La. traffic signal - This intersection
is recommended for improvement and signal installation. This would
further encourage the use of Pierce St./Cottontail La. as an alternative
to Davidson Ave./Easton Ave. for access to I-287 and would improve
safety issues at the current intersection.
In addition
to the data collected and analyzed by Orth-Rodgers, the Township
Engineering Dept. and Police Dept. have requested
assistance from Somerset County Engineering in attempting to determine
the approximate percentage of traffic on South Middlebush Rd. that
is generated from outside the Township. This will be done by utilizing
automatic traffic counters ("road tubes") at key locations
on and along South Middlebush Rd. The County Engineer has agreed
to provide this assistance and this project will be undertaken
in the very near future. This data may be useful in determining
the value of the bypass to the Township and its residents.
In closing,
it should be recognized that all of the time frame estimates
are based on my own personal observations and input from
professionals who deal with roadway improvement projects daily.
Additionally, all estimates are "best case", assuming
available funding, agreement by all governmental agencies
involved and the cooperation of property owners where land needs
to be acquired. Any deviation from this "best case" scenario
could alter those estimates dramatically.
If I can be of any further assistance please contact me a your
earliest convenience.
