Old Tappan reviews county traffic study for Old Penn schools and considers reopening Charles

The Borough of Old Tappan council reviewed a county-conducted traffic study for the Old Penn school corridor that showed roughly 6,301 different vehicles using the corridor during a 10-day count, prompting discussion of several traffic-management options to reduce congestion during school drop-off and pick-up.

Acting Mayor Wacker summarized the county data and said the county offered the free study service; the options discussed included reopening Charles (currently closed on Old Penn Road), closing K Street on both sides, lengthening signal times at nearby intersections and piloting temporary changes before pursuing an ordinance amendment. Wacker said the council is open to trying temporary measures first and then adopting an ordinance if a change proves effective.

Council members and staff emphasized the importance of coordination with the police department and school administration. Councilwoman Costello noted the need to involve principals and said parents, school staff and police are “on the ground every day” and should weigh in on changes. The police chief and others cautioned about certain one-way or curb-drop configurations that could create unsafe conditions for children; the chief had reservations about making Herrick Drive one-way into the school because two-lane drop-off could place children in the path of moving vehicles.

The council also discussed modifying signal timing at Washington and other intersections as one of the options to improve traffic flow during peak school periods. No formal ordinance was adopted at the meeting; council members asked staff to pursue the temporary option and report back with details before any permanent change.

The council’s next step is to coordinate with county engineers, school officials and the police to trial temporary changes and monitor results before considering ordinance action.