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Lieutenant Seaford outlines Summit Ave one-way plan to ease Traphagen School congestion
Summary
Lieutenant Seaford told the Waldwick council the borough will make Summit Avenue eastbound one-way (Nordham to Ridge) during school hours starting in September, with signage, a movable barricade placed by the crossing guard and initial police presence; residents asked about enforcement and notification plans.
Lieutenant Seaford presented a traffic-control plan the borough will implement near Traphagen School that converts Summit Avenue to a one-way eastbound street from Nordham to Ridge during school hours, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning in September. He said the change aims to reduce afternoon backups on Ridge that create multiple conflict angles and endanger the crossing guard.
"We developed this idea to change Summit Ave to a 1 way heading east from Nordham to Ridge," Lieutenant Seaford said, describing plans for signs and a movable barricade that the crossing guard will place each morning. He said the school controls driveway access and the borough will coordinate with the school and chief to notify parents; the chief will draft a letter the borough will forward to the principal.
Seaford said the borough bought 14 signs for the area and expects the barricade and time-restricted "Do Not Enter" signage to make it easier for parents to wait on the east side of Summit rather than lining up on Ridge. He said buses and emergency-vehicle access will be maintained and the crossing guard will place a barricade at 7:00 a.m.; the police department plans an on-site presence for the first days of implementation.
Council members and residents raised enforcement and access questions. One resident asked whether drivers from Route 17 would be permitted to use Summit; Seaford said signs at Ridge and Summit will direct traffic and that exiting north onto Route 17 will still be allowed. Another resident asked about how the plan will handle residents who habitually park in the street; Seaford said the borough will ask residents to cooperate and will "ask nicely" the first week, with monitoring and enforcement available if needed.
The council directed staff to hold a neighborhood meeting with Summit residents so staff can show drawings, answer questions and explain the procedure for turning around cars parked facing west. The meeting schedule, signage placement and operational details will be finalized before the beginning of the school year.
