County Official Proposes Reducing Speed Limit Near School In Hopewell

HOPEWELL, NJ - Mercer County Executive Boran M Hughes recently presented an ordinance to the Board of County Commissioners that looks to reduce the speed limit along a section of Bear Tavern Road, including the Bear Tavern Elementary School zone.

The ordinance is expected to be considered for adoption at the Board of Commissioners’ formal meeting on Thursday.

The ordinance proposes to reduce the speed limit to 10 mph. The ordinance also seeks to lower the speed limit from 45 mph to 35 mph from 1,000 feet north of Maddock Road to Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, and from 30 mph to 25 mph when passing through the Bear Tavern Elementary School zone while “25 mph When Flashing” signs are operating during recess or while children are going to or leaving school.

“Mercer County had looked at reducing the speed limit in front of the school to 25 mph a number of years ago, but a thorough review by our traffic engineer determined that it didn’t meet the necessary criteria,” Hughes said. “Recent guidance permits County engineers to consider other conditions as contributing factors, and I thank our Engineering Division for working with township and school officials to move this forward.”

The proposal to amend the speed limits comes after a request made by Hopewell Township and following a review of that section of Bear Tavern Road made by the County’s traffic and planning consultant, Hughes said.