More Bergen County Mayors Push for “Traffic Fix” at Garden State Parkway Exit 171

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Twp. of Washington NJ, several Bergen County mayors are rallying behind a small but significant change that could ease major traffic congestion near a Garden State Parkway exit. The proposal centers around allowing right turns off Exit 171 at Glen Road in Woodcliff Lake, a change that officials say could greatly improve daily commutes for residents in the surrounding areas.

A Push for Change

Township of Washington  Mayor Peter Calamari recently shared a petition started by Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali, urging residents to support the proposal. The petition, which has already garnered over 1,700 signatures, aims to address growing traffic problems at Exit 171 and on nearby roads in Montvale, Park Ridge, Washington Township, and Hillsdale.

For many residents, this simple adjustment could mean smoother daily commutes. “It’s really frustrating, knowing that this can be solved and made easier for all of us, but nothing’s being done about it,” said Montvale resident Nabeel Khurshid, who frequently finds himself making U-turns just to reach his street. “They can have one lane go left and the other go right. I don’t understand what the issue is.”

Concerns from Residents

Not everyone is on board with the proposed change, however. Some residents of Glen Road have expressed concerns about safety. One local, who asked to remain anonymous, fears that allowing right turns could lead to increased speeding. “People are already speeding on this road in the morning. I don’t think it’ll be safe for our kids anymore,” the resident said.

The Bigger Picture

Mayor Ghassali explained that the traffic congestion stems from travelers using exits 168 and 172 because of the right-turn ban at Exit 171. He warned that upcoming development projects in the area, including large properties like the former Hilton and BMW-owned land, could worsen the situation if the restriction isn’t lifted. “Our town is taking on Woodcliff Lake traffic,” Ghassali said. “Allowing the right turn would alleviate much of the congestion, especially during rush hours.”

However, the issue is also sparking debate among local leaders. Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carlos Rendo opposes the plan, attributing the traffic problems to Montvale’s rapid development. “Montvale has permitted massive overdevelopment in their town without appropriately planning for the consequences,” Rendo said in a Facebook post. “Permitting the right-hand turn at Exit 171 will only force unnecessary traffic onto Woodcliff Lake roads that were not designed to handle it.”

Next Steps

Mayor Calamari has asked Woodcliff Lake officials to reconsider their position. He noted that towns like Woodcliff Lake have added numerous residential units in recent years, increasing local traffic. “Due to the no right-hand turn restriction, Washington Township is absorbing an undue traffic burden at Exit 168,” Calamari said. “I am asking Woodcliff Lake to take responsibility for the additional vehicles created by their recent and future housing units.”

Local officials are set to meet with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and county representatives to explore solutions before any decisions are made. In the meantime, the petition to allow right turns off Exit 171 continues to gather support, with many residents hopeful that the change could bring much-needed relief to the area’s growing traffic woes.

 

ROUTE 3 BRIDGE FAMOUS FOR HIGH-SPEED CHASE
https://theridgewoodblog.net/route-3-bridge-famous-for-high-speed-chase/
#invest ,#Wefunder #startupfunding, #venturecapital, #crowdfunding, #fundmystartup, #investinstartups, #startupinvesting, #fundraising, #startuplife, #startupcommunity, #startupgrind, #investmentopportunity