Ellisdale Road resident asks for governor’s help

(The following is a letter written to Gov. James E. McGreevey)

I am writing this letter to you as a grandfather to a father. I am aware that you have children, as do I. My concern is as follows, and I am asking for your help. I live on a road which has undergone drastic changes in just the last couple of years. Decades ago, Ellisdale Road in the Township of Upper Freehold was just a narrow, little farm road going south out of the historic borough of Allentown with minimal traffic. During the ’50s and ’60s, housing started to replace the farmland until one whole side of the road was fully developed with private houses. More recently, with the explosion of people moving into a very desirable area, large developments have recently been completed further down the road. Last September, our beautiful and role-model Byron Johnson township-owned park had its grand opening. This 25-acre park and recreation facility property was acquired in a very wise and forward-thinking land-deal swap by our township planners and hard-working committee. Many hard-working volunteers and local businesses donated their time and materials in completing this facility and thus saving much cost to our township. Our park now occupies the opposite side of this road. However, due to this tremendous growth, the traffic passing through this 1-mile stretch which is no longer farmland, has doubled in the last two years. To promote vehicle and pedestrian safety, the township realized that the old speed limit of 45 mph must be drastically reduced. For the past two years, they have been trying to get the Department of Transportation to lower the speed limit on this still very narrow road down to a safe and sane limit. After a recent public hearing, both the residents of Ellisdale Road and our local officials are in full agreement on a 25 mph speed limit. The DOT, however, is not willing to give us what we know we need. There are now children riding bikes, pedestrians, baby carriages and strollers, and cars pulling in and out of the park. In the meantime, vehicular traffic which includes heavy trucks are passing by routinely at 50-60 mph. Governor, we desperately need your help before a tragedy strikes.

James A. Bowers

Upper Freehold Township