NORTH WILDWOOD – The speed limit on Route 147 going into the city has been reduced from 50 mph to 25 mph.
According to a letter from the state Department of Transportation and accepted by the City Council April 1, the new speed limit on the roadway from the Middle Township line through New York Avenue became effective March 12.
Route 147 is currently a 50-mph zone from east of the Garden State Parkway; it changes to 40 mph as drivers pass over Beach Creek, the border of Middle Township and North Wildwood. The speed limit then drops to 30 mph once the road becomes Spruce Avenue in North Wildwood.
To ensure a smooth transition from 50 mph to 25 mph, the DOT last year proposed a 40-mph zone beginning at Ocean Drive/CR 619 and continuing to the Middle Township-North Wildwood line. The speed limit between South Carolina Avenue in Middle Township to Ocean Drive will remain 50 mph.
“The new limit is better aligned with local municipal zoning and roadway configurations along Route 147 and aims to enhance traffic safety in this major tourist area, which attracts large numbers of vehicles and pedestrians,” said Steven Shapiro, a DOT spokesman.
DOT’s review of the speed limit came at the request of citizens and North Wildwood officials. The agency determined the change in speed limit was warranted after evaluating the residential and commercial nature of the area, the absence of deceleration/acceleration lanes at key intersections, the higher density of driveways along the roadway, significant seasonal traffic increase and the limitations of addressing speeding concerns through a standard speed study.
“Existing advance warning signs will be updated to reflect the new speed limits,” Shapiro said. “The new speed limit signs are expected to be installed late spring or early this summer.”
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
