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Montclair launches Vision 0 Complete Streets safety plan; residents press for quicker fixes and enforcement
Summary
The township’s new Complete Streets director outlined a federally funded Vision 0 Safety Action Plan to reduce serious injuries and fatalities. Residents supported the initiative but pressed for faster short‑term fixes, more enforcement and clearer coordination on county roads.
Laura Torchio, Montclair’s Director of Complete Streets, told the joint ward meeting that the township has received a federal Safe Streets for All grant to develop a Vision 0 Safety Action Plan and has engaged a consultant team to perform data analysis, public engagement and demonstration projects.
Torchio described Vision 0 as a “safe system” goal that sets zero as the only acceptable number of serious injuries or fatalities and said the plan combines data‑driven analysis with community input. “Vision 0 as a goal…says that no matter how people get around, 0 is the only number of serious injuries or fatalities that we will accept,” she said.
The initiative will map high‑injury corridors, prioritize projects that address the worst crash locations, and use low‑cost demonstration tactics (painted curb extensions, delineators, multi‑way stops, rectangular rapid flashing beacons and chicanes) to test changes before making permanent investments. Torchio said an interactive map and ward‑level materials are on the project website and the team will run focus groups, community workshops and pop‑up engagement activities.
Torchio drew on early data indicating Montclair has a disproportionate share of severe bicycle and pedestrian crashes: she said about 55% of bicycle and pedestrian crashes in Montclair are fatal or severe injury crashes compared with a lower county share, and she emphasized that the county and the township will coordinate on county roads.
During a lengthy public‑comment period, residents described specific hot spots — Orange Road, Cedar Avenue, Grove/Elm, Greenwood/Glenridge and safety at school‑bus stops — and urged more visible enforcement, short‑term signage and faster action on county roads. Several residents said they appreciate pilot measures but worry that enforcement is scarce and that some traffic‑calming changes have produced congestion or displacement effects.
Torchio and councilors said the plan’s first steps will emphasize “light, quick, cheap” trials to evaluate effects before committing to larger construction, while the consultant team will analyze near misses and high‑risk factors to prioritize interventions. The administration encouraged residents to submit reports via the township website’s complaint/reporting tool, attend workshops and join ward‑level conversations to help shape priorities.
