Franklin Township Council Discusses Hamilton Street Traffic Study

SOMERSET, NJ - At Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, members discussed the need for a comprehensive traffic and parking study on Hamilton Street due to ongoing development in the Fourth Ward.

Councilman Carl R.A. Wright, who oversees the Fourth Ward, noted significant construction on Hamilton Street, including new apartments and rental units, and raised concerns about traffic management and parking availability.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER

"We need to ensure that everyone has a parking space," Ward said. "If families with multiple cars can't park in the provided parking complexes, where will they park? The overflow is causing inconvenience and safety issues."

Wright emphasized the need for a traffic light assessment and pedestrian safety analysis, considering both north-south traffic on Hamilton Street and the feeder streets such as Franklin Boulevard and Berry Street crossing it.

To address these concerns, Wright proposed a motion for a traffic and parking study of the Hamilton Street business areas. The motion was seconded by Mayor Phillip Kramer and discussed in detail.

The Township Manager, Robert Vornlocker Jr. confirmed that the study would include a comprehensive analysis of current and future traffic conditions, zoning recommendations, and parking demand. The study area could cover Hamilton Street from Franklin Boulevard to the New Brunswick corporate line and two blocks on either side.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE TAPINTO APP FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS. AVAILABLE IN THE APPLE STORE AND THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE .

Council members discussed the importance of including delivery services and car services in the study, given the rise in such activities.

The council agreed that the Township Manager would prepare and send out a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the study. Vornlocker said the cost would be between $30,000 to $35,000. The RFP would be reviewed by the staff, with the final recommendations presented to the council.

Council members emphasized the need for the study to be conducted with neutrality and objectivity, focusing on the community's perspective rather than future development interests.

The motion for the traffic and parking study was unanimously approved by the council.

For more local news, visit TAPinto.net