PETITION TO LOWER THE SPEED LIMIT ON MENDHAM ROAD IN GLADSTONE

Residents and property owners of the Borough of Peapack and Gladstone, residing at or near the intersection of Mendham Road and Jackson Avenue in Gladstone, are concerned about speeding vehicles and numerous vehicle incidents at this intersection. 

In particular, southbound vehicles pick up speed going downhill on Mendham Road, arriving at a curve in the road at the intersection with Jackson Avenue. An alarming number of drivers have been unable to negotiate this curve at (or above) the posted speed limit of 30 mph.


With this petition, we formerly request that the speed limit be lowered from 30 mph to 25 mph along Mendham Road between Church Street in Gladstone and Main Street in Peapack, where the speed limit is currently 25mph.

REASONS FOR REQUESTING THIS SPEED LIMIT REDUCTION:

Safety of Residents, Children, and Pets: The sidewalk of Mendham Road and Jackson Avenue is heavily used by pedestrians, including parents with baby strollers, people walking their pets, and individuals walking for recreation. Current traffic speeds pose a significant risk of injury or fatality to sidewalk users.

Reduced Pedestrian/Vehicle Safety: High vehicle speeds make it difficult for pedestrians to cross safely and create dangerous situations for residents entering or exiting their driveways. Reducing the speed limit will contribute to a safer environment for all residents.

Damage to Property and Town Infrastructure: There has been an alarming increase in motorists exceeding the 30mph limit currently in place, and some vehicles have gone across the sidewalk reserved for pedestrians and onto the private property of residents.

RECENT INCIDENTS (CAUSING DAMAGE):

1) April 28, 2023:

Distracted delivery driver who admitted that he was looking for his dropped cellphone and left the roadway. This caused considerable damage to property and broke a telephone pole and guy wire in front of 47 Mendham Road (Police Report filed).

2) May 5, 2025:

Driver lost control of vehicle and caused damage to property at 45 Mendham Road and 47 Mendham Road, breaking the guy wire attached to a telephone pole (Police Report filed).

3) June 17, 2025

Driver destroyed the post and mailbox located opposite 54 Mendham Road, leaving the scene of the incident.

Taking this into consideration, a request is hereby made for the Board of County Commissioners to take immediate measures to effectuate the lowering of the speed limit on Mendham Road between Church Street in Gladstone and Main Street in Peapack, and implement measures to ensure compliance with the new speed limit, such as increased traffic enforcement and/or the installation of traffic calming devices like speed bumps or humps.
 
This action is believed to be crucial to protect the lives and well-being of the community and create safer streets for all.