Goodbye, one-way?

FRANKLIN—The borough is considering reopening North Rutherford Avenue to two-way traffic, and residents on the street aren't happy. The issue came up last week at when the borough council voted unanimously to apply for a state grant to pay for a study of ways to reconfigure the Route 23-N. Rutherford intersection. The council needed to take the action to remain eligible for state funding for the actual construction, should the borough decide to go ahead with the project. N. Rutherford Avenue intersects with Route 23 just south of the Hamburg border and parallels the heavily traveled state highway before rejoining it just past High Street in the center of the borough. For years, it was used as a shortcut around the Route 23 congestion. But three years ago, concerned by the growing volume of traffic on Rutherford, the town made the street one-way from south to north. Residents of the avenue welcomed the change, but borough officials are increasingly concerned about the potential for accidents on Route 23 to close down that road. Unless Rutherford is made a two-way street again, there would be no alternate route for traffic. Also, the council said, Masters Street, a two-block street some 350 feet south of Rutherford, has become a shortcut of choice for people trying to slip past some of the traffic on the highway. Although the council is still uncertain about what to do with Rutherford Avenue, residents are upset that turning it back into a two-way street is under consideration. Recognizing that concern, the council said that it would schedule a special meeting to allow residents to voice their opinions. "I've been living on that road for 40 years, and the last two have been the most pleasant since it closed," said Margaret Cowan, who became a Rutherford Avenue resident in November 1965 and came to the council meeting to state her objections. "I am totally against reopening it." "Like my neighbor, I am also very concerned about opening up the north end of Rutherford Avenue," added Judy Sullivan. "Cars of people who don't live in that area would be driving through." When asked if a special meeting between the town and residents of Rutherford and other streets would earn her support, Cowan replied affirmatively. "If it comes to that, yes," Cowan said. "I would hope it doesn't come to that. Common sense says it should remain closed." As of yet, there is no set date for the meeting. In the meantime, officials hope they can come up with an equitable solution. The idea, Borough Administrator Richard R.Wolak explained, is not only to allow Rutherford's northern end to be reopened, but also to rebuild the intersection so that those leaving the highway for the avenue would have to "reduce speed." "Before the council makes a definitive decision as to the traffic flow on Rutherford Avenue or any municipal thoroughfare, they will basically seek out comments from those who live in the area, as well as comments from citizens in general before any definitive plans can be made," Wolak added. "The Route 23 corridor, as you shut off the streets, just means drivers will find another road a little further down. We don't want to keep transferring the problem to another location; we just want to find something that will benefit the citizens of Franklin."