Newton-Sparta Road Scoping - Sparta Township
Scoping of Operations & Safety Improvements
To
Newton-Sparta Road (CR 616 & CR 517)
Project Portion Located within the Township of Sparta
Sussex County, in conjunction with project stakeholders, has been working to refine design elements of the proposed operations and safety improvements to Newton Sparta Road since early 2004. A presentation of the project was made to the Sparta Town Council on February 28, 2006. The Council expressed an interest in soliciting a recommendation and obtaining advice from the Sparta Planning Board which would be beneficial toward the Council’s consideration in providing an endorsement of the proposed operations and safety improvements. Responding to the Town Council’s request the Sussex County Division of Engineering and our consultant made a presentation to the Planning Board on May 17, 2006. The Board members had many concerns, and it was determined that a subcommittee of the Planning Board would be appointed to work with the County and our consultant in answering questions and addressing the board’s concerns. The County has met with the subcommittee on June 12, August 31 and November 30 refining the plans and addressing concerns raised by the board and the public during prior meetings. Below is a summary of the plan modifications effected through this joint process.
The revised plan is available for review on the county’s web site:
View Plans – Sparta Section of Newton Sparta Road Scoping – Last Revised January 5 2007
The County is tentatively schedule to appear before the Sparta Township Planning Board on February 7, 2007 to review the modified plan. Please refer to either the Municipality or this web page for scheduling updates.
Summary of Enhancements:
1. Median lanes have been incorporated at selected locations along the corridor including, Two Way Left Turn Lanes and dedicated Left Turn Lanes.
2. Sidewalks have been added at the following locations:
o Along both sides of Andover Road (County Route 517) providing pedestrian connectivity from Pope John High School to the intersection with Newton Sparta Road (County Routes 616 and 517 intersection).
o Along the East Bound side of Newton-Sparta Road (County Route 616 and County Route 517) providing pedestrian connectivity beginning just east of Sussex Mills Road extending to the intersection with North Shore Trail.
o Along both sides Newton Sparta Road (County Route 517) providing pedestrian connectivity beginning in the vicinity of Carriage Lane extending to the intersection with State Route 181.
3. On Street Parking has been included along Andover Road (County Route 517) to encompass a portion of the Pope John/Reverend Brown School Frontage.
4. Newton Sparta Road (County Route 517) has been redesigned providing a continuation of the bicycle compatible previously proposed west of Sussex Mills.
5. The roadway typical section for the section between Andover Road (County Route 517) and N.J. State Route 181 has been revised as follows:
|
Original Typ. Section |
May 2006 Typ. Section |
Current Typ. Section |
|
3 ft Shoulder (WB) |
10 ft Shoulder (WB) |
10 ft Shoulder (WB) |
|
12 ft Travel Lane (WB) |
||
|
11ft Travel Lane (WB) |
12 ft Travel Lane (WB) |
12 ft Travel Lane (WB) |
|
12 ft Center Median |
14 ft Center Median |
16 ft Median/Left Turn Lane |
|
11 ft Travel Lane (EB) |
12 ft Travel Lane (EB) |
12 ft Travel Lane (EB) |
|
12 ft Travel Lane (EB) |
12 ft Travel lane (EB) |
|
|
3 ft Shoulder (EB) |
No Shoulder (EB) |
10 ft Shoulder (EB) |
|
Total Width = 64 ft |
Total Width = 60 ft |
Total Width = 60 ft |
6. A dedicated left turn lane has been added to permit left turns from Newton-Sparta Road to South Shore Trail and the commercial properties to the east.
7. An alternate configuration has been proposed for South Shore Trail which will provide for left turns during off-peak hours. Evaluation of this configuration will continue during the final design phase. Implementation will be dependent upon design approvability by NJDOT and other review agencies.
8. A new traffic signal is proposed at the intersection of Newton-Sparta Road and North Shore Road.
9. Pine Terrace is proposed as a cul-de-sac with access from North Shore Road.
10. An additional u-turn jughandle is proposed opposite of North Shore Road. This jughandle will provide a shorter detour for traffic wishing to travel west from South Shore Trail, Our Lady of the Lake Church, The Toy Man, and the Upper Mohawk Plaza.
11. A dedicated left turn lane has been added to permit left turns from Newton-Sparta Road to Memory Lane. Left turns from Memory Lane will be available via the jughandle at Andover Road (CR517/616 intersection).
12. Two Way Left Turn Lanes have been proposed for the section of Newton-Sparta Road between Memory Lane and Surrey Lane.
13. A dedicated left turn lane has been added to permit left turns from Newton-Sparta Road to Surrey Lane. Left turns from Surrey Lane will be available via the jug handle at Wagon Wheel Road.
14. A dedicated left turn lane has been added to permit left turns from Newton-Sparta Road to Knoll Road.
15. A potential traffic signal is proposed at the Knoll Road intersection. This signal will be phased with the signal at the SR 181 intersection to provide adequate gaps for Knoll Road vehicles without impacting the traffic from CR 517 and SR 181.
16. “Don’t Block the Box” intersection controls have been proposed for use at Knoll Road. These controls have recently been installed into the existing intersection configuration by the County.
Download PDF Copy of this SummarySussex County Department of Engineering and Planning
Sussex County Division of Engineering in conjunction with
Project Consultants Harold. E. Pellow Associates
January 4, 2007