Trial Period Begins for Beekman Road Speed Reduction

Motorists on Beekman Road will have a few weeks to adjust to a new speed limit before police begin handing out violations. 

After being approved by the South Brunswick Township Council earlier this year, the new speed limit on Beekman has been put in place, officially lowered from 45 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour.

"This is part of the learning period. There is new signage out and the police department will be giving out warnings for the next 30 to 60 days to get people acclimated," said Councilman Joseph Camarota at Tuesday's meeting. 

In May, the council approved a plan to lower the speed limit and to install two crosswalks adjacent to the entrances of both and  on Beekman. An estimated 3,000 cars per day travel on Beekman Road as a connector between Route 1 and Route 27.

"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," said Public Affairs Coordinator Ron Schmalz earlier this year. 

The new crosswalks are expected to be installed within the next few weeks.

The township is alsopreviously approved for the intersection of Beekman Road and Route 27.

A plan for two new Park and Rides was approved in December 2011, with 

was contingent on the completion of upgrades to the intersection, which have since been given the go ahead. The Department of Transportation approved upgrades for the intersection 

will include widening the intersection, an improved turn radius, and the addition of a right-hand turn lane. The township is expected to award the bid for the project on Aug. 16, according to Township Manager Bernard Hvozdovic.