Somerset County Roadway Safety Study Is Underway

Deadline for Residents’ Input Has Been Extended

SOMERVILLE, NJ – Recently, the Somerset County Planning Division launched the Roadway Safety Study. The goal of the study is to improve the safety of selected Somerset County roadways through data analyses, and public input. Although the Planning Division has received valuable feedback from residents, the comment period has been extended to allow time for the public to provide more input. Residents can provide comments about vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle safety issues by using the county’s new online mapping tool. The deadline to receive public input has been extended to Aug. 31.

“We encourage the public to tell us what they experience when they’re out on the roads and also to let us know how we can make the roads safer,” said Somerset County Freeholder Melonie Marano. “Public feedback will help the county make the most strategic decisions about where to implement upgrades.”

“The goal of the study is to help the county’s Planning Division select five county roadways, which will undergo a comprehensive analysis to help identify vehicle, pedestrian, and bicyclist safety issues,” said Somerset County Freeholder Deputy Director Sara Sooy, planning liaison. “The county will also develop safety improvement recommendations for these roadways and identify potential opportunities for the implementation of green infrastructure.”

The Planning Division will evaluate the selected roadways through safety audits (RSA) by using data gathered from residents’ input, the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s safety management system, and data collected from other sources. Improvements will be made to roadways based on the results of the study’s analysis.

Residents can provide comments and feedback by using an online mapping tool at  http://fhiplansurvey.com/somerset/. For information about how to use the mapping tool, visit https://youtu.be/PNvwbjn8aAk. Residents can also email their comments to SCroadwaysafetystudy@co.somerset.nj.us. The deadline to receive public input is Aug. 31.

Somerset County launched the Somerset County Roadway Safety Study as an analysis tool after New Jersey was chosen as a “focus state” for road safety improvement by the Federal Highway Administration. Since New Jersey has been identified as a “focus state” the county will receive technical assistance with data analysis, training and support for road improvements.

The Somerset County Roadway Safety Study is funded by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJPTA) through a sub-regional study program. The Somerset County Planning Division, which will manage the study is also responsible for land development review, preparation of the Somerset County Master Plan, overseeing transportation projects and implementing initiatives for open space and farmland preservation.

For more information contact Director Walter C. Lane, AICP/PP at 908-231-7021 or email PlanningBd@co.somerset.nj.us.

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