Borough Council to Address Concerns Over Two-Way Spring Street Traffic

Candace Braun

Concerns over problems that may result if the Borough turns Spring Street into a two-way street after the garage opens will be addressed tonight at a Borough Council meeting.

The change in traffic pattern would eliminate parking meters and a loading zone between South Tulane and Witherspoon streets, and require the removal of newspaper boxes, receptacles, and a post office box that currently exist on the road.

The Council and Princeton Regional Planning Board first considered the change to lessen the traffic on residential areas of South Tulane Street and Vandeventer Avenue. The Planning Board approved the site plan for two-way traffic in 2002, with the understanding that the new 500-space parking garage would make up for lost street parking.

Currently the change is scheduled to take effect shortly after the opening of the Spring Street garage, on or near April 15, said Bob Bruschi, Borough administrator.

John T. Henderson, owner of Benson Henderson Enterprises on the corner of Spring and Witherspoon streets, is requesting that Council reverse the plan for Spring Street in consideration of the problems it may bring to those in the surrounding area.

"Your plan reduces the conveniences and services readily available to owners and tenants, and increases the danger of accidents by adding two-way traffic," said Mr. Henderson in a December letter he addressed to then-Mayor Marvin Reed.

Mr. Henderson said that while the new garage will provide additional parking for residents, it will not provide a loading and unloading area for trucks delivering packages to local businesses.

Mr. Henderson was unavailable for comment on Tuesday.

Members of the Borough's Traffic and Transportation Committee listed several concerns over the plan for Spring Street, saying that the amount of traffic on the road would make a two-way street unfeasible. It recommended the Borough leave the road as is.

Some of the concerns listed by the committee include how a two-way street may prevent a good line of sight for pedestrians attempting to cross the road. Delivery trucks that currently park on the street all day, or double park when there aren't any spaces available, was also a concern. These trucks would be forced to use other legal or illegal loading zones that are currently used by other trucks, read the committee's report.

Traffic on Witherspoon Street, often used for ambulances, may also become a problem, as the additional cars could inhibit emergency vehicles.

Residents and local businesses will have the opportunity to voice their concerns at tonight's Council meeting.