Route 517 plans put area's rural character in jeopardy

To the Editor: On Tuesday, Feb. 28, a number of Sparta residents appeared before the Sparta Council to protest Sussex County’s plan to radically change the Newton-Sparta Road in Sparta by adding a center barrier and two jug-handles. The county plans a two-lane road from Andover into Sparta to Route 517 (Andover Road) in the vicinity of Reverend Brown School. There would be a traffic light and jug-handle at that location. The road would then go to four lanes with a center barrier with another light and jug-handle at Sparta Commons in the vicinity of Wagon Wheel Road. These four lanes would be dumped into the 181 intersection at the Stop and Shop, where the road would again becomes two lanes on the Route 517 bypass. Knoll Heights traffic will be restricted to use Lewis Lane onto Sparta Avenue. Emergency vehicles attempting to get into Lake Mohawk from the Newton-Sparta Road would have to go to the nearest jug-handle and return to the entrance. Emergency traffic leaving Lake Mohawk heading to Newton Memorial Hospital would have to go to the jug-handle at Wagon Wheel and then head in the direction of the hospital. The effect on school bus transportation would be devastating. No environmental studies have been done. As a result of the appearance of a number of Sparta citizens, the council referred the matter to the Sparta Planning Board. Those of us who attended the meeting have urged an alternate plan that would encourage traffic to move quickly to Route 15 before entering Sparta. The county’s plan calls for a 50 mph speed limit on Route 10; our alternate plan would obviate the need for such a program. This is a matter of great importance to life as we know it in Sparta. What remains of our rural character is in jeopardy. Cappy Daggett Sparta