Hi everyone,
Thank you again for signing the petition to reduce the speed limit and study possible traffic calming measures on Park Avenue in Berkeley Heights! I'm overdue on an update (apologies, I was traveling for work), but have an update on some progress.
Mayor Devanney and Captain Ives (soon-to-be our police chief) have been very responsive to our concerns. However, a traffic study is required before any change can be made to the speed limit.
At the April 28 Town Council meeting, the council members approved the hiring of Neglia Engineering Associates to provide traffic engineering and safety reviews related to a number of traffic and pedestrian safety concerns raised by residents about key areas throughout town (all of which I think, from personal experience, are top areas to address for safety). Thanks to your involvement with the petition, Park Avenue has been included in this work.
The B.H. Police Department Traffic unit has requested that Neglia provide the following:
- Recommendations for a crosswalk on Snyder Avenue between Bank of America and the Snyder Avenue Park. This includes but is not limited to installing additional sidewalks, proper early warning signage, push-button activation LED signs, the crosswalk in the roadway, edgeway striping and traffic calming measures on Synder Avenue.
2. The recommendation for a "School Zone" designation on Mountain Avenue in the area of Mary Kay McMillan School. Also, consider limiting the left turn into MKM School from Mountain Avenue's eastbound traffic flow during peak time (pickup/dropoff).
3. Recommendations for traffic calming measures and speed control in and around the Governor Livingston High School Area. Specifically on Glenside Ave in the area of Hunterdon Blvd.
4. Recommendations for pedestrian safety at the existing Springfield Ave/Summit Road crosswalk
5. Recommendations for pedestrian safety at the existing Plainfield Ave/Park Ave crosswalk
6. Park Avenue speed study, traffic counts and design recommendations for pedestrian safety improvements.
I did have an opportunity to discuss this further with Captain Ives and noted that, given the timing, it would be important to make sure the traffic study covered a period during the school year and not just summer traffic patterns.
I'll keep you posted as more details become available.
If anyone has additional questions or concerns about pedestrian/cyclist and traffic safety in the Park Ave vicinity, please feel free to email me at dnigroBH@gmail.com and I'll do my best to get answers and bring concerns to the Township Council, Police Department and other appropriate town representatives.
Have a safe Memorial Day weekend!
Dana Nigro