BRIDGEPORT — At their meeting on March 19, the Logan Township Council heard a presentation from Remington and Vernick Engineers regarding improving the conditions on Beckett Road.
Since Logan Township has added businesses, traffic and speeding in the area has increased. A lot of the issues have come from larger tractor-trailers turning from Beckett Road.
The company’s resolutions included creating geometric changes such as adding medians and striping and adjusting the lane and roadway width at certain locations. Also, lighting would be installed for pedestrian safety.
Angelastro indicated that the township would try to reduce the speed limit on Beckett to 25 miles per hour, and they may petition the New Jersey Department of Transportation to place weight restrictions on Beckett Road. Also being proposed are high visibility crosswalks at intersections.
Medians and traffic islands will be added under the plan, and they will be designed to accommodate school buses, UPS trucks and regular vehicles. Medians would require no irrigation, and landscaping would be determined at a later date. Rumble strips would be removed, and “No Truck Traffic” signage would be added.
Angelastro said Remington and Vernick expected to finish the improvements by 2020, and the ultimate goal was to eliminate tractor trailer trucks on Beckett Road entirely. He mentioned that the company’s plans were in the conceptual design phase.
Logan Township Mayor Frank Minor assured those attending the meeting that financing was in place and the road improvements were going to happen. “We’d like to fast track it, but we’re getting all the data that we can,” he noted.
“This is a matter of getting everything in order,” Minor added. “We want to make sure everyone understands what’s happening. This is going to change the complexion of that road.”
“It’s probably a few years overdue,” suggested Councilmember Chris Morris. Angelastro reminded the Council that nothing has been finalized.
In resolutions, Council authorized a shared services agreement with Newfield for solid waste and recycling collection and marketing services. They also approved a body armor grant of $2,228.98 and a Recycling Tonnage Grant of $109,176.66.
One more resolution saw Council authorize contracts with New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Inc. for administering written and oral examinations for their sergeant and lieutenant positions. Elsewhere, the police report for February listed 1,467 calls to service for the Logan forces, along with 246 summonses being issued and two DUIs.
Council also accepted a letter of resignation from Youth/Parks/Recreation Committee Member Shelly Ayars. “She’s been very active on that committee and been very helpful,” said Minor.
Council issued a proclamation to Logan resident Brandon Green for winning the NJSIAA 170 pound state title as a Paulsboro High School junior. “Brandon was defeated in the regionals by the same person he beat in the finals,” commented Councilmember Art Smith. “That is very difficult to do.”
Green won his title in early March in Atlantic City. “There’s the future right there,” offered Minor.
by Robert Holt
