Residents Press Hackensack Council on Summit Avenue Speeds, Pedestrian Safety and Anderson Street Bridge Closures

Multiple residents raised traffic-safety concerns at the meeting, asking the council to expand pedestrian protections and reconsider speed limits on a busy corridor.

Marty Smith, representing a condo/co-op traffic-safety committee, cited a Bergen County Sheriff’s Department traffic survey conducted July 23–30 that counted 83,835 vehicles on the Summit Avenue section under city jurisdiction during that week and measured a typical vehicle speed of about 38 mph. Smith urged the council to revisit the posted speed limit on Summit Avenue, noting the street’s wide cross-section, the number of unprotected T-intersections, and risk to senior and mobility-impaired pedestrians.

Other public speakers pushed for additional flashing pedestrian signs along Summit and Prospect avenues, radar-speed signs on Clinton Place, a four-way stop at Clinton/Prospect and an evaluation of double-parking and enforcement on Main and Anderson Streets. City staff confirmed a planned streetscape project that includes Anderson/Union pedestrian improvements (funded and expected to begin next year) and announced an overnight westbound Anderson Street Bridge closure (approximately 7:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m., Monday–Friday) for interim repairs expected to continue for several weeks.

City manager Thomas Freeman and staff said pedestrian-safety upgrades are in design and that enforcement and a citywide parking review are underway to avoid shifting parking pressure from one street to another.

No change to posted speed limits was adopted at the meeting; the council heard the requests and directed staff to continue studying improvements and enforcement options.