Beekman Road Safety Upgrade Targeted for Mid-Summer Completion

South Brunswick officials believe the recently approved safety measures for Beekman Road will be completed by the middle of the summer. At last week's meeting, the Township Council formally held a second reading for an ordinance that will involve the installation of two crosswalks and will lower the speed limit in Beekman from 45 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour.

"We want to get this done as soon as possible," said Mayor Frank Gambatese. "We need to wait about 20 days for the vote to take effect, so we're looking at a mid to late summer completion."

The two crosswalks are to be placed adjacent to the entrances of both and according to Public Affairs Coordinator Ron Schmalz. 

"A lot of the people who are utilizing those parks live on the opposite side of Beekman Road, so we asked the police department to take a look, and they concurred that a lot of pedestrians are crossing that road. So it’s important we get those crosswalks up," Schmalz said last month. “Because of the crosswalks, it's also recommended that we lower the speed limit as well."

An estimated 3,000 cars per day travel on Beekman Road as a connector between Route 1 and Route 27. In addition to the new safety precautions, the council will discuss extending a blacktop bike trail that runs along Beekman near Veterans Park to allow for pedestrian traffic.

The council will also be looking at alternative locations for a new Park and Ride facility that was The small two-lane road is regularly clogged with motorists making various turns and going to the shopping center across the street in Franklin. 

The council is expected to hold formal discussions on a new location for the Park and Ride next month.