Road project in Ridgewood causes traffic, concerns
MAY 23, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
Municipal officials maintain that an imminent street improvement project, when completed, will boost overall traffic safety and aesthetics in and around Garber and Wilsey squares. Several Ridgewood residents, however, contend that the finished job might have unintended and unwanted consequences.
Construction preparation is already underway for the Garber Square Complete Streets Project. This week, crews began cutting asphalt along Garber Square and will continue work on Ridgewood’s west side from Godwin Avenue to Franklin beneath the New Jersey Transit train trestle. In addition to a full paving job, the scope of the project includes the addition of bicycle lanes and a median island as well as the reduction to a single lane for each direction of traffic at the underpass.
In an informational letter distributed this week by Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld, she explained that the project is intended to address pedestrian safety at Garber Square and at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Broad Street.
“Pedestrians will more easily and safely walk to and from the train station elevator area along the street by the Pease Library,” according to the letter. “We are bumping out the curb at Franklin and North Broad Street to reduce the crosswalk length, while providing better visibility of pedestrians to motorists.”
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