RELEASE: Gottheimer Fights for Roadway Safety in Montague

Gottheimer urges NJDOT approve crucial guardrail and other safety measures to protect drivers and residents

MONTAGUE, NJ – Today, Tuesday, October 8, 2019, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) visited the Montague Township intersection of Clove Road and Route 206, a dangerous Y-intersection near a multi-use dwelling at risk for car crashes due to the lack of a roadway guardrail. Most recently, in November 2017, a vehicle missed the turn and launched itself through the front of the structure and out the side. While working with the Township of Montague, Mayor Inella, State Senator Oroho, and Assemblymen Space and Wirths, Gottheimer has requested the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) approve a crucial guardrail to protect the dwelling and those who live and work there. Proper safeguards have not been installed on the property to this date.

View the letter here.

NJDOT previously rejected Montague’s own request for a guardrail, citing that an impact with a guardrail would result in worse injuries than impact with the dwelling.

Gottheimer noted in his letter to NJDOT, “I find this explanation concerning as it would seem that impact with a house could potentially cause injuries more severe than those from the impact to a guardrail.”

Local officials have noted that this dangerous intersection has caused three vehicular crashes into the nearby dwelling in the past twenty years.

“I am committed to clawing back needed resources to Sussex County to improve our infrastructure and keep both our residents and drivers safe. We need to put every safety measure in place, including a guardrail, to ensure this intersection here in Montague does not continue to pose a safety risk,” said U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “I’m going to continue my work with the Township and the Mayor to call on the State to finally get this done.”

Gottheimer was joined at the proposed guardrail site today with Montague Deputy Mayor Gene Crawford, Councilman Fred Merusi, Town Clerk Eileen DeFabiis, New Jersey State Police, and the owner and tenants of the multi-use dwelling.