County Addresses ‘Speedway Boulevard’

CREST HAVEN — “ I say this tongue in cheek,” said Dennis Township resident Bob Grace to the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders, but you should rename Dennisville-Petersburg Road ‘Speedway Boulevard’.”
Grace addressed the problem of speeding on Rt. 610 in Dennis. He noted that the problem does not appear to be trucks, but local residents who are speeding down the road.
Grace told the Board that the posted speed limit on the narrow road is 25 mph.
Not only is there a problem with cars running past the speed limit, Grace expressed his frustration at being given a runaround regarding who would address the speeding issue.
“I’ve been to the State Police,” he said. “And they said to go to the township. The township said to go to the Freeholders. I feel like I am a ping pong ball.”
“It would have been extremely nice if Dennis Township had come to the Freeholders,” said Freeholder Director Dan Beyel.
“We did receive a resolution from Dennis Township that I was going to present tonight asking for a traffic calming device,” replied Freeholder Susan Sheppard.
The placement of speed bumps along the road, as well as rumble strips. According to Engineer Dale Foster, neither is a viable option due to the width of the road.
“The road is already narrow,” said Foster. “Speed bumps would rattle the houses.”
It seems obvious,” said Freeholder Gerald Thornton, “that the answer lies in enforcement by the State Police. The township could have requested that.”
“We can write a letter (to the State Police), asking for increased enforcement,” added Beyel. “And we can copy it to the township.”
“As the Freeholders said, the township could have handled this,” said Freeholder Lenny Desiderio. “But they are asking the freeholders.”
“I’ll talk to the Sheriff,” Freeholder Ralph Sheets told the board, “to see if they can send someone up there for a few hours.”