Reducing the speed limit from 50 to 35 mph was the focus during the fight to discourage truck traffic on the route during the past two years. Towns such as Rocky Hill and Hopewell Township got their wish last week when NJ Governor Whitman directed NJ DOT to reduce the speed limit to 40, and to 30 in Hopewell Borough. Since the completion of I-287 as a regional beltwayin 1993, trucks have plied smaller highways in central New Jersey in huge numbers. Roads like Rtes 206 and 31 allow trucks to reach I-287 while avoiding the tolls and congestion on the NJ Turnpike. Trucks use 518 as a connector from Rte 206 to Rte 31. 

But some doubt the efficacy of the move. Hopewell Township Mayor John Hart told the Trenton Timesthat the speed limit reduction will "not make a dent" in truck traffic. Speed limit reductions on Routes 31 and 206 have had inconclusive results. 

Enforcing weight restrictions may be another avenue, though some affected towns are so small they do have no police. Residents elsewhere say they will be watching for proper enforcement along the road, and will videotape enforcement, or lack thereof. And more needs to be done to protect pedestrians along the road. 

Others say just installing better pedestrian infrastructure will help the towns cope with the new freight corridor that's been imposed upon them. Rocky Hill is leading the fight for crosswalks and sidewalks along 518. The town is also examining traffic calming measures, like narrowed roadways through intersections.