Princeton Takes First Step In Road Safety Plan With Cherry Hill Speed Adjustment

PRINCETON, NJ — The Princeton Council recently adopted an ordinance lowering the speed limit on portions of Cherry Hill Road and Mount Lucas Road. The final reading of this ordinance occurred during the latest Council meeting.

Previously, the speed limit on Cherry Hill Road between Mt. Lucas Road and a point 565 feet north of Foulet Drive was 40 miles per hour, while the section from that point north to Cherry Valley Road was already set at 35 miles per hour, according to Municipal Engineer Jim Purcell.

The Engineering Department recommended reducing the speed limit from 40 to 35 miles per hour based on several factors:

1. Mt. Lucas Road has a 25 mph speed limit at its intersection with Cherry Hill Road
2. State Road (US Route 206) has a 35 mph limit at its Cherry Hill Road intersection
3. The northern portion of Cherry Hill Road already has a 35 mph limit
4. Cherry Hill Road qualifies as a rural residential road, which carries a statutory speed limit of 35 mph under state law
5. The Cherry Hill Road Shared Use Pathway project will narrow the roadway by two feet, reducing lane widths from 13 to 11 feet in each direction
6. The horizontal curve north of Foulet Drive lacks sufficient stopping sight distance at 40 mph, but has adequate sight distance at 35 mph

The ordinance took effect upon its adoption and approval by the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Council members viewed the change as a positive step for public safety.

"This is only the beginning," said Councilman Leighton Newlin. "We still have Vision Zero coming, and we will make Princeton more safe for walkers, for bicyclists and even for drivers."

Councilman Brian McDonald, who lives near Cherry Hill Road, added, "I hope as time passes, we look at other streets and wonder if we can reduce the speed limits in other areas of town as well."

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