35 MPH speed limit approved in Byram section
By Jennifer Jean Miller
BYRAM — The Byram Township Council recently voted unanimously to support a 35 mph zone along the stretch of both north and southbound 206, in order to maintain safe driving and walking conditions, as well as place more focus on the businesses, in the bustling shopping and business section of the township.
The change has taken effect from the northern corner of Byram Plaza near Salt Gastropub to Acorn Street, by the Stanhope border.
The Byram Township Police recently responded to a suspicious vehicle call, which turned out to be a representative of the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) running radar and assessing the possibility of raising the speed limit to 45 mph.
The NJDOT had received a complaint that the speed in the area was too slow. After learning of the issue, the police department notified Byram Township Manager Joseph Sabatini and the council.
The NJDOT advised the council that a resolution was required to maintain the 35 mph speed limit.
The township backed the 35 mph speed limit, which had been originally designed for this section of roadway, but has been raised over the years.
Route 206, a state highway, was listed recently at 40 mph from Acorn Street to Waterloo and Brookwood Roads, and 45 mph from Waterloo and Brookwood Roads to Johnson Boulevard, according to the NJDOT website.
Byram Councilman Scott Olson said the speed limit in the area was originally 35 mph around 2004 and the turning radiuses of some businesses, such as the Dunkin’ Donuts and Quick Chek, do not accommodate a 45 mph speed.
“The lower speeds will keep everyone safe and drivers will see businesses more,” Olson said.
The 35 mph limit was approved for the benefit of Byram’s Route 206 businesses, to prevent the widened roadway from becoming a speedway, rather than a community center and shopping area. And for safety reasons, to help avoid collisions when cars are turning into businesses, and to help protect pedestrians, the resolution stated.
“I personally voted for the speed limit change because of safety,” said councilwoman Nisha Kash in an emailed response. “It’s around our town center. Entrances and exits all over and cars slowing down. We’re a town of families, better safe than sorry.”
“We specifically requested this because it would benefit local businesses along 206,” Deputy Mayor David Gray responded through email. “We heard that DOT is looking into raising the speed limit, but the town council would prefer it to stay 35 to benefit local businesses.”
Olson said that business owners in an Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting this past year were pleased to learn that speeds would be maintained at 35 mph.
With the addition of crosswalks, benches and sidewalks to the area in the widened section of roadway, the stretch is in the process of becoming more business and pedestrian-friendly, Olson said.
Those looking to frequent the Byram businesses can leave their vehicle in one location and then walk to another, while in the past, it was necessary to drive between points. Sidewalks are now adjacent to Rt. 206 South from Salt Gastropub to the Exxon on Acorn Street, and on Rt. 206 North from Acorn Street to Lubbers Run.
Olson said that Byram does not currently have its own post office and some locations, such as Wild West City, Lynnes Nissan West and Waterloo Village, are associated with other nearby towns, while they are within the Byram borders.
“We’re trying to establish more of a destination for Byram,” Olson said.