The installation of a sidewalk from Bear Tavern would serve to “encourage pedestrian traffic, create a sense of community around Bear Tavern Elementary School, and provide Bear Tavern Elementary School walkers who live in the surrounding areas safe passage to and from school,” explained the HVRSD BOE resolution, which passed unanimously in May.
For many years, parents in the Bear Tavern vicinity have strived to improve road safety conditions and reduce the speed limit along Bear Tavern Road. “In my ten years as a Bear Tavern parent, I became all too acquainted with the roads in front of and surrounding the school. With no sidewalks or pedestrian crossings, students have always had to take their lives into their hands if they chose to walk or bike,” said Kim Robinson, a Hopewell Township resident. “Given the tremendous physical and mental benefits that walking and biking provide, I am very hopeful that this Safe Routes to School grant allows us to provide these opportunities, in a safe way, to the Bear Tavern families.”
With regard to the speed limit, Smith said, “Since Hopewell Township has not formally agreed to consider this project at this point, we have not contacted Mercer County regarding the speed limit. We have not reached out since our last resolution since conditions haven’t changed. We will enthusiastically request another speed limit review by the county, however, we speculate that Mercer County is more likely to consider adjusting the speed limit if Hopewell Township recommends this Safe Routes project and the traffic calming measures that should follow.”
The Hopewell Township Committee will hold a Special Meeting on Monday, June 20, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. at the Hopewell Township Municipal Building, 201 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville, NJ to discuss Safe Routes to School Grant Application/Continental Lane to Bear Tavern Elementary School.
