Snarled Traffic at Routes 49 and 50 Steams Upper Residents

PETERSBURG – Upper Township’s Committee held its regular meeting July 13. A main issue aired is on-going traffic congestion at Routes 49 and 50 in Tuckahoe.
Traffic snarls are a result of preliminary work being done to repair the Tuckahoe Bridge close to this intersection.
“Weekends especially are a disaster, it’s not safe and we are seeing road rage as well as numerous emails and calls of complaint,” said Mayor Richard Palombo.
“There is no traffic flow, people are sitting in lines of traffic that don’t move for 25 minutes. The barricades that the contractor has set in place are not needed on weekends so why don’t they re-position them when shore traffic is so heavy? We can’t just think it’s Fourth of July traffic or traffic associated with Night in Venice since this seems to be going on all the time,” he continued.
Deputy Mayor Edward Barr and Committeeman Hobart Young recounted their own personal experiences of sitting in traffic, trying to make turns onto other roads that take at least 10 minutes, and even attempting what used to be “shortcuts” through the Tuckahoe game preserve and park which has become at certain times just as congested as the main thoroughfares.
Young said that not only has committee been bombarded by complaints, Sen. Jeff Van Drew is also investigating what can be done to alleviate the traffic snarls.
Palombo requested that township Engineer Paul Dietrich approach the construction contractor as well as others who might be able to effect improvements to the traffic snarls.
Barr offered support as well to contact state transportation officials so that both traffic efficiency as well as safety is restored at this crucial intersection.
In other business, Young said that the township’s Fourth of July events were “phenomenal,” that the Strathmere parade went well, and that the township’s activities are demonstrating how family and community oriented Upper is.
Scouts Lauded
Committee passed a resolution in appreciation of the township’s Boy Scouts and recognized them for their trash pick-up after the event, which is supporting their pursuit of a community service merit badge.
“I’d like to explain publicly that we were able to charge only $1 for a pony ride or face-painting because the township contributed to the vendors. Some residents have commented that we ‘subsidized’ the vendors and still charged but that is absolutely not the case,” noted Young. “An important goal is to make things affordable and there’s no doubt we achieved that aim; if we hadn’t supported the vendors these activities would have cost $4 or $5 each,” he added.
Is Coordinator Needed?
“We are growing our events so successfully it’s time we consider hiring an event coordinator who can help our volunteers organize them. We’re now at the point where we’re doing the Fourth of July, OctoberFest, Easter and probably something for the winter holiday so we could really benefit from having this type of dedicated point person,” continued Young.
Committee authorized him to take the next steps in figuring out a budget, researching what other towns are doing and how much they pay and report back as to what he learns.
Other Business
In other items, Palombo asked Dietrich if he had submitted the required permit applications for buildings the Pinelands Commission cited as being necessary for it to proceed with consideration of South Jersey Gas’ proposal for its pipeline through the Pinelands.
Dietrich responded that he hand-delivered the documents that day, i.e. July 13.
Palombo said he had “spoken to a couple of commission members and that while there are no guarantees,” he “expected the process would continue to move forward. It’s ironic that to begin with these ancillary buildings were required by the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection,” said Palombo.
Dietrich reported that Commonwealth Avenue in Strathmere from the Corson’s Inlet Bridge to Taylor Avenue will be resurfaced as major drainage problems are addressed.
Additional work will include new crosswalks, handicap ramps and probable removal of passing zones which are in place along this stretch.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.