Ridgewood Police Present Traffic Study Findings to Address Village Intersection Issues

file phots by Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, at the Village Council meeting on September 30, the Ridgewood Police Department presented the results of a comprehensive traffic study, conducted in partnership with Bergen County, to address increasing traffic and accidents at key intersections. The study focused on finding low-cost solutions to improve traffic flow and safety at the intersection of Oak St. and East Glen Ave., while also maximizing control at North Maple Ave. and East Glen Ave.

Ridgewood Police Chief Lyons, Captain Ender, and Traffic Officer Tarino were on hand to share their insights and recommendations based on the study’s findings.

Traffic Concerns at Oak St. and East Glen Ave.

Officer Tarino reported a noticeable rise in motor vehicle accidents at the Oak St. and East Glen Ave. intersection, with 39 crashes occurring over the past five years, 19 of which were within the last two years. The police department linked this increase in accidents to congestion issues at the nearby intersection of North Maple Ave. and East Glen Ave., particularly during rush hours.

According to the county traffic study, about 14,500 vehicles pass through the North Maple Ave. and East Glen Ave. intersection during peak morning and afternoon hours. The one-lane intersection, heavily trafficked due to its proximity to Route 17, experiences significant delays, especially for drivers attempting to turn left onto East Glen Ave. These delays cause backups, with some drivers waiting through multiple light cycles, which forces motorists to seek alternative routes through surrounding streets.

Alternate Routes Creating Traffic Safety Hazards

Drivers trying to avoid congestion at North Maple Ave. and East Glen Ave. have been diverting through side streets such as Mastin Pl., Linwood Ave., and Bryden Pl., which results in increased traffic at the Oak St. and East Glen Ave. intersection. During the study, it was observed that 421 vehicles entered this intersection from Bryden Pl. alone. This increase in traffic, particularly vehicles attempting left turns, has been a major factor in the rise of accidents at Oak St. and East Glen Ave.

Proposed Solutions to Improve Traffic Flow and Safety

To alleviate these issues, Officer Tarino proposed a solution to reduce delays at the North Maple Ave. and East Glen Ave. intersection by implementing a left lead green light. This change would provide a 5-8 second green light for vehicles turning left from North Maple Ave., helping to improve traffic flow and prevent backups.

While the option of adding a left-turn arrow was considered, it was ruled out due to the limitations of the current traffic light poles, which cannot support the necessary configuration. However, the department is optimistic that the lead green solution will improve traffic flow and reduce accidents without requiring major infrastructure changes.

One-Way Road Proposal for Bryden Pl.

Another potential solution discussed was turning Bryden Pl. into a one-way street to limit access from South Maple Ave., which would prevent over 600 vehicles from entering the Oak St. and East Glen Ave. intersection daily. While this change could significantly improve safety, it would affect the residents of Bryden Pl., limiting their direct access to Oak St.

Before moving forward, the Ridgewood Police Department will conduct a survey of Bryden Pl. residents to gather feedback and ensure that any changes made take the community’s concerns into account.

Next Steps

The Village Council will review the feedback from residents and the results of the traffic flow improvements to determine the best course of action. The department hopes these changes will enhance safety and ease congestion in these busy areas.

 

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