East Hanover Township considers speed studies on several roads

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

The East Hanover Township Board of Supervisors heard an update Monday, June 23, on several roads in the township that are under consideration for speed studies.

In May, supervisors heard a request from a property owner on Log Cabin Drive that the residential road technically has a speed limit of 55 mph because it has no speed limit signs.

At the time, supervisors said that they did not think performing a traffic study would be too expensive but worried print advertising costs would be excessive for one road. They directed township manager Erik Harmon to determine if any other roads in the township were also in need of traffic studies, as this would lessen per-road advertising costs.

Harmon said that the road foreman suggested Appalachian Drive be studied.

A resident of Zion Church Road also spoke Monday, having spoken with Harmon a few weeks ago regarding speeding on the road, which also lacks signage.

After speaking with that resident, Harmon arranged a speed check machine to be placed on the road, which he said found that the 85th percentile of drivers (which is typically used as a metric to determine safe driving speed for a road) drive at 33.52 mph. Harmon said the preliminary findings suggest a 30 or 35 mph limit may be suitable for the road.

“To be complete, we should really put it the other direction as well,” said Harmon. “But I would expect to see a similar speed because your 85th percentile speed is usually dictated by the road geometry. It ends up being what most people feel is a safe operating speed.”

Residents said that the speed check sign also curbed some of the faster traffic along the roadway, though the sign was later moved.

In next steps, Harmon said he and the road foreman either need to set up a speed check the other way or conduct a speed study by both driving the road and measuring maximum speeds. Log Cabin Drive, Zion Church Road, and Appalachian Drive are under consideration for speed limit changes.

In other news, the board:

• Unanimously approved a minor subdivision plan for properties at 15-21 Park Drive as well as a waiver to provide additional right-of-way, as the plan does not involve new construction and additional land is simply being added to existing lots. Supervisors also approved the sewage planning module waiver and a non-building declaration.
• Unanimously approved the release of financial security totaling $24,829.19 to 25 Webster School Road.
• Unanimously agreed to waive rental fees for the 2026 Envirothon to be held at the H.M. Levitz Memorial Park.
• Unanimously authorized the recreation board to plan a stargazing event at the park sometime in August, though the date has not yet been set.
• Unanimously agreed to approve complaints to be filed to those on the non-pumper list with the MDJ.
• Unanimously approved bills, minutes, and heard reports.

The East Hanover Township Board of Supervisors normally meets the fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. However, the board’s July meeting has been moved to July 21 due to supervisor conflicts. Meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.