The Jackson Township, in its effort to focus on traffic and pedestrian safety improvements along busy roads, is making good on its promise to make the township safe.
This week, the township is expected to approve several projects, including speed and safety improvements and the construction of sidewalks along Bethel Church Road, a busy road that connects County Line Road to New Prospect Road through Brewers Bridge Road.
Statewide, accidents involving pedestrians are at an all-time high, which has prompted the township to take action locally. The council and the Jackson Township Police Department’s traffic safety unit have identified roads throughout the township that are in need of safety improvements.
Those improvements also include speed ‘calming’ measures on Pitney Lane. The road has been a cut-through from Cooks Bridge Road and East Veterans Highway. The township will also restrict parking to one side of the road between the Daniel Court intersections.
“For decades, the township has failed to address residents’ concerns on these two roads,” said Council President Jennifer Kuhn. “When this council took office, we promised to listen to the residents and address their needs and concerns. We were able to find money to fund these long-overdue projects, and the people in these neighborhoods deserve this. They have waited a long time.”
Council Vice President Mordechai Burnstein, who meets regularly with county officials, says the two projects are part of the overall initiative to make Jackson roads safe again.
“In the past, Jackson’s public officials did not engage with the county, so all of the other towns received roadway improvements, but Jackson didn’t get as much attention,” Burnstein said. “Working closely with the county, we’ve been able to get many projects approved on county roads, including traffic lights, sidewalks, and paving. Now we’re taking a look at our own roads and problems, and through our current budget, we can fix many of the problems while not having to increase taxes at the local level. Safety comes first, but controlling spending is also important to the residents of Jackson.”
Since taking office, the council team has focused heavily on traffic safety in Jackson, working with residents, county officials, the Department of Public Works, and the Jackson Police Department to identify areas in need of improvement.
