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Engineers recommend conversion of a Person Street segment to two-way traffic; Boswell urges county talks on a 25 mph area limit
Summary
Boswell Engineering told Verona council a one-way stretch of Person Street could be converted to two-way with signal work and signage changes; the firm also presented findings for a townwide 25 mph proposal on county roads and urged coordination with Essex County engineers before any ordinance.
Boswell Engineering representatives on June 8 told the Verona Township Council that converting the one-way portion of Person Street (between Lind Drive and Depot) to two-way traffic is feasible if done in coordination with a new signal planned at Fair View and Person.
"There did not seem to be any adverse impacts related to that," said Marco Navaro, Boswell's traffic expert, describing needed changes including new striping, removal of the existing one-way signage, refreshed crosswalk markings and implementation of a centerline for a short stretch. Mike Kajiano, Boswell project lead, said the timing of the signal installation makes the change appropriate now.
Councilors and residents raised safety and pedestrian concerns. Several speakers noted limited sidewalks on parts of the corridor and urged extra caution for students and seniors who walk the hill. John Brazella called attention to gaps in sidewalks between Combone Gate and Lind Drive and urged the council to "take into account the pedestrian flow" when considering conversion.
Boswell also presented an evaluation of five county roads and recommended the township pursue discussions with Essex County about adopting a 25 mph areawide limit for the roads studied. "We provided some additional recommendations as to how that could be implemented," Navaro said, listing options such as speed-feedback signs and refreshed striping.
Council members emphasized the need for county buy-in because many of the roads are under county jurisdiction. "Before we present something that we know the county might either support or be opposed to, the request from the council is at this time to discuss, ask any questions and if there's verbal support we'll continue those discussions with the county," a town official said.
Residents and councilors expressed support for slowing traffic. "Anything we can do to slow people down even a little bit is really important," resident Elizabeth Hines said in public comment, urging adoption of a unified 25 mph limit to reduce pedestrian crash severity.
Council directed staff to continue talks with the county and to consider targeted measures locally — including additional speed-limit signage, refreshed crosswalks, potential stop signs at Depot, and a focused traffic study at the Lind Drive/Person intersection prior to any final decision. No ordinance changing the Person Street designation was adopted at the meeting; councilors said any change would follow the traffic-signal installation and county consultation.
