Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Franklin Township public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
20 issues in roads
Traffic safety and left-turn lane on South Middlebush Road (CR 615)
A crossing guard flagged faded crosswalks and crumbling tactile pads on Franklin Boulevard; another resident asked for a traffic light at JFK and Winston Drive, rumble strips on Amwell Road, and limits on tow trucks on Arlington Avenue. A full traffic study at JFK/Winston is underway, with funding possible in 2027.
Easton Avenue traffic safety and Cedar Grove Lane signage
A board member noted three schools and three churches within half a mile make Cedar Grove Lane busy, and urged the county to consider school-zone signage and flashing lights as part of the church's site plan.
2027 JFK Boulevard grant and Van Cleef Bike Path extension
With a school bus driver shortage and a surge in teens riding e-bikes and e-scooters, board member Jennifer Rangnow proposed a completed sidewalk path to the high school and middle school. Staff agreed to sketch out a possible route, and the board may add it to the master plan — possibly funded by the township's sidewalk fund.
Beekman Road traffic safety
Residents repeatedly challenged the reliance on October 2024 traffic counts, arguing post-pandemic return-to-office traffic has changed everything, and questioned left-turn safety and school-bus impacts. The engineer's five-day counts and conservative two-per-vehicle assumption did not fully calm those fears.
One-Lane Bridge (Griggstown) Traffic Plan
A resident asked for updates on the one-lane bridge bottleneck. County plan: traffic signals on both sides of the bridge and at the causeway, plus a three-way stop at Canal and Bunker Hill — no bridge replacement or widening.
Sidewalk Repair Protocols
A resident asked how to get cracked sidewalks fixed in Ward 4. The manager said complaints go through the DPW website or phone; the township has found no contractor for sidewalk 'shaving,' and asked residents to send photos and the Ottawa example for research.
Traffic calming: rumble strips and JFK/Winston signal study
Residents asked about rumble strips on Amwell Road (a county road) and a traffic signal study at JFK Boulevard and Winston Drive. The signal study is underway and should wrap in a couple of months.
Road resurfacing - Willow Avenue and Pierce Street
Two paving contracts totaling about $1.13 million were awarded, resurfacing Willow Avenue area and Pierce Street.
Road Repaving and Water Infrastructure
Council members reported finalizing this year's road repaving list and completing millions of dollars in water system upgrades in Wards 4 and 5, with paving coming to Coppermine, Stirling, and MacAfee Road areas.
Truck traffic and failing intersections
The traffic engineer says the warehouse would add only modest peak trips, with trucks using Executive Drive and improved signal timing. Residents and objectors questioned truck-turn conflicts at Easton/Davidson and rising combined traffic from the neighboring IDI warehouse.
New Brunswick Road parking and snow plowing complaints
Council members praised police and public works after the blizzard: zero storm-related injuries, two lives saved by police/EMS, a baby delivered on-site, and roads largely cleared. Some residents complained about unplowed streets and blocked driveways.
Vacation of Executive Drive
The council gave up the public's rights to part of Executive Drive so a planned warehouse can use it as a private driveway. A resident worried it favors the developer; the manager said keeping it public would cost taxpayers given expected truck traffic.
Sidewalk gap completion on Davidson Avenue corridor
The board's chairman reported sending a letter to council recommending township sidewalk funds close the gap between the NPH facility, Somerset Woods, and ShopRite on Davidson Avenue toward New Brunswick — including a needed easement from the Herr's property.
Sidewalks along Cedar Grove Lane frontage
The board raised whether a sidewalk can be required along the church's frontage, consistent with conditions placed on nearby townhouse approvals.
NJ Transit Area Traffic Safety
Councilman Singh is pushing with South Brunswick officials and local businesses for a new traffic light and pedestrian crossing near NJ Transit access after several near-miss incidents.
2026 Road Repaving Program
The Public Works Committee is nearly done picking the final road repaving list within a roughly $3 million budget; Ward 1 roads Coppermine, Sterling, Stockton and Steward are slated, and the 2026 schedule will be posted online.
Snow removal performance and contracting
Residents aired frustration over January storm plowing, and the Council debated whether contractors are supervised, why bus stops aren't cleared, and whether more passes and drivers are worth the added cost. A snow plowing contract amendment of up to $450,000 was approved on consent.
Road Asset Management Software Purchase
The township was set to buy software from Vialytics Americas to better track road conditions and manage repaving priorities. Better data could mean smarter spending on street repairs across Franklin.
Hamilton Street/Home Street intersection safety
Councilman Wright says cars coming out of Home Street onto county-owned Hamilton Street face a blind corner that's a recipe for crashes. He wants stop signs on every approach and no-parking near the corners, with the Somerset County Traffic Division involved since Hamilton is a county road.
New Brunswick Road Resurfacing Grant
The council authorized a state municipal aid grant application to resurface New Brunswick Road from Cedar Grove to Willow — a road improvement funded by the state if awarded.