To The Editor:
Today on a return trip from Rio Grande to my home in Swainton, I was delighted to see all the work being done on the GSP which ultimately will ease traffic by eliminating the only three traffic lights on the entire highway. And then, traffic was narrowed to one lane headed north. And then, I saw a sign stating that the GSP will be closed Monday from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. So I did the logical thing, which was to take a left and head home using Route. 9. And here is what I thought about:
Most of us welcome this construction, even knowing that we’re in for very inconvenient five or six years. Traffic is pretty slow at the end of March, so the one lane only slowed traffic to 45 miles per hour. Don’t know the exact number, but increase in population beginning very soon will clog the roadways in Court House.
People on vacation are in a hurry to get where they are going or drive so slowly because they are on vacation and in no hurry to get anywhere. Traffic is sure to increase 1,000 fold on Rt. 9 very soon. A dollar store is proposed for Rt. 9 just north of Avalon Blvd. where the narrowness of Rt. 9 only allows one lane in each direction and the plans for said store include two entrances/exits on Rt. 9.
The road does not permit expansion for turning lanes. It may be accurate that the planning board of Middle has given approval to the corporate giants who reside somewhere far away from our lovely town of Swainton, because said corporation has changed their plans to appease variances holding up approval, but…Are you kidding me? This is a disaster waiting to happen. There are many reasons against this store, but I am stating only one. I’m hoping that my fellow citizens will take up their pens and use this forum to express their views in the coming weeks.
You see, at the last planning board meeting, we the citizens of Swainton were told that we had no legal right to oppose this abomination. The corporation from way up north answered all legal arguments to the satisfaction of said board, and were granted approval. We the citizens on the other hand, have no right to oppose this disaster waiting to happen.
Somewhere out there can be found ways to overturn this legal disaster. “Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have!” Margaret Mead
MICKI GOLDBERG
Swainton
