Slow down. A raised crosswalk has been installed at 34th and Amherst avenues in Longport.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
LONGPORT – Motorists driving from Margate now have no choice but to slow down as they enter the borough via Amherst Avenue.
Borough engineer Ed Dennis Jr. of Remington & Vernick announced Feb. 21 that installation of a raised pedestrian crosswalk on Amherst Avenue at 34th Avenue has been completed.
Think Pavers Construction Company completed the work at a cost of $70,717, which was funded through the borough’s allotment of Atlantic County CBDG grants that accumulated over the last several years.
The work included installation of a brick crosswalk, which will serve as a traffic calming measure and improve driver and pedestrian safety. The crosswalk is 3 inches higher than the surface of the roadway, the maximum elevation permitted by the Department of Transportation, Dennis said.
“You could get airbound if you go too fast,” Commissioner of Public Safety Dan Lawler said.
The project included installation of bright yellow signs alerting motorists to the raised crosswalk ahead.
The project was forwarded after residents living in the area complained about increased traffic coming into town from the Margate border after that municipality changed the traffic configuration on its portion of Amherst Avenue from two-ways to one-way flowing toward Longport.
It was about four years ago that the borough hired a traffic engineer to conduct a traffic study of the area, which determined that 95% of the traffic coming from Margate travels along Amherst to Sunset Avenue to reach the Longport Bridge. The study recommended installation of a speed bump as a traffic calming measure.
In other business, Dennis reported that he and Police Chief Frank Culmone met with representatives of the NJ State Police about a plan to upgrade the holding cell in the Longport Police Department, which is located at the rear of Borough Hall. The department lacks a sally port for controlled entry and exits and the upgrade would improve safety for police and suspects during transport to the county jail.
“They accepted our renovation with minor changes,” Dennis said.
The project will go out to bid soon, he said.
The borough also held a public hearing and adopted an ordinance revising Chapter 132.2 that protects the marine environment by requiring residents to store salt and other de-icing materials in closed containers or impervious structures to prevent salt infiltration into the stormwater, which leads to the bay and ocean. Temporary outdoor storage of de-icing materials is permitted between Oct. 15 and April 15, but storage areas must be at least 50 feet from inlets and waterways. Violation of the ordinance carries a fine not to exceed $100 per day.
The board also held a public hearing and adopted a new Chapter 167-33 Stormwater Management Plan designed to ensure compliance with water quality, quantity and groundwater discharge controls for development projects.
It also adopted ordinances clarifying positions in the Longport Volunteer Fire Department, and raising beach badge fees for senior citizens to $10 for pre-season purchases and $15 in season. Pre-season rates apply if purchased before the first Friday in June.
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