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Politics & Government

Watchung Avenue Speed Limit Passes Unanimously

Speed limit going to 20 miles-per-hour.

The Council passed an ordinance Monday near during school hours.

The ordinance, which passed among the Borough Council unanimously, will reduce the speed limit along Watchung Avenue to 20 miles-per-hour during school hours. Chief of Police Philip J. Crosson, Jr. said the new speed limit was lowered to protect the young children in the area during school hours.

“The committees were involved and worked with the county. ... The fact that that intersection there by the school is filled with very small children that are more difficult to manage than high school or middle school aged children was where they came up with (the new speed limit),” said Crosson.

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“I think the age of the children played into that, too. ... Reducing the speed limit around the schools is the right thing to do. It’s just the matter of 25 (miles-per-hour) or 20,” he said.

While the ordinance passedunanimously, some council member, including Council President James Lonergan, wondered if the speed limit on Watchung Avenue was being reduced too much for drivers.

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“I personally drove that street around 20 miles-an-hour, and it got to the point where it was unrealistic (to drive) at 20,” Lonergan said.

Mayor Bruce A. Harris said the speed limit could always undergo review by the borough in the future. For now, however, the reduction will serve as a solution to crossing guards in a busy and difficult area to direct traffic of automotive and pedestrian varieties.

“We might find out that it can be increased later, but I know the intersection of Watchung (Aveue), for the crossing guard, is a very, very difficult intersection,” Harris said.

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