Traffic issues at the intersection of Route 571 and Clarksville Road have long been of concern. Mercer County is again considering plans to reconfigure the intersection, and is asking the Township for its opinion on the issue of traffic congestion versus impact to the properties surrounding the intersection. By unanimous vote, the Council agreed to again recommend a proposed concept that was first outlined in a 2005 Township Planning Board study. This concept would add some left turn-only lanes and right hand-only turn lanes to the intersection but would not significantly impact the homeowners on either side of the intersection.
Township engineer Francis Guzik gave a presentation regarding the county’s 2005 concept, which envisions the following changes:
1. Adding a lane on Route 571 heading towards Hightstown, so that there would be a dedicated left turn lane, a straight lane, and a straight or right turn lane;
2. Adding a lane on Route 571, heading towards Princeton, so there would likewise be a dedicated left turn lane, a straight lane, and a straight or right turn lane;
3. Adding a lane on Clarksville Road, as well as a pedestrian island, so that there would be a dedicated left turn lane, a straight lane, and a dedicated right turn lane; and
4. Adding a lane at the opposite intersection on Grover’s Mill Road, so that there would be a dedicated left turn lane, a straight lane, and a straight or right turn lane.
“Some of the options that would best reduce traffic,” Guzik said, “would also require the use of a significant portion of the lands adjacent to the two roadways; and the county would have to acquire a significant amount of land from the high school and Ron Rodgers arboretum properties.
“In order to maximize the traffic reduction at the intersection,” Guzik continued, “the redesign of the roadways would require the use of large portions of the homeowners’ lands on the other sides of Clarksville Road.”
Guzik noted that “because the residents were disinclined to give up such large portions of their property and have the roadways that much closer to their homes, the Township has limited options: to exercise the principle of ‘eminent domain’ or to agree with a modified traffic plan that would reduce the congestion somewhat but not completely.”
Bryan Maher expressed concern that widening the roadways significantly at that intersection would create another potential “Route 1” through town. The other Council members agreed and further expressed an unwillingness to exercise eminent domain over the homeowners’ objections.
Guzik added that “this is a concept only; it is not a specific design. The county will develop that. However, the Township has provided them with input on what we would like to see done at the intersection.”
