County Executive: Only 4 Parking Spots Will Be Lost

Caldwell merchants have asked Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. to slow down and consider the effect the redesign project of the intersection of Bloomfield and Roseland avenues will have on businesses and the community.

June Cowell, president of the Caldwell Merchants Association, recently sent a letter to DiVincenzo, opposing the county's project to expedite the flow of traffic through the downtown area by adding left-turn only lanes on Bloomfield Avenue onto Roseland and Forest avenues.

According to Cowell, a little congestion is actually good for business.

"Some of us prefer the congestion and the small-town feel and we don't want a raceway," said Cowell, owner of Lovely Living Interiors. "The county's goal is much different than CMA or Main Street. We want people to slow down and look at the shops and places to dine. They just want to speed traffic through."

However, the concern over lost parking spaces has been alleviated, DiVincenzo said Thursday. According to the county executive, the initial plan called for a total of 12 spaces to be eliminated along Bloomfield Avenue to accommodate the left-turn only lanes, but because of the community's concern, that number has been reduced to just four.

DiVincenzo believed the four spots lost will be adjacent to the Caldwell Green, but was unsure how the engineers were able to reduce that amount from 12.

According to DiVincenzo, he expects to receive approval for the federal grant money to fund the three-month project "any day now" and go out to bid soon with an expected start date of Oct. 1.

"It's been approved by the town and by the engineers," DiVincenzo said Thursday. "This area has been a major safety issue for quite some time. This is something that needs to be addressed."

According to Cowell, DiVincenzo has not responded to the letter, which was signed by 12 merchants in the area of the intersection.

In a statement released last week, the county executive pointed out how the project will enhance pedestrian safety in the downtown area.

"During the last eight years, my administration has undertaken projects that modernize our transportation infrastructure so we are able to meet the needs of our growing communities," DiVincenzo said in the statement.

"Bloomfield Avenue is one of the busiest county thoroughfares, and the redesign of the intersections of Bloomfield Avenue, Roseland Avenue and Forest Avenue will enhance safety for pedestrians and motorists."

In addition, the county executive, whose plan also includes the addition of crosswalk timing devices for pedestrians and the installation of a traffic signal at the corner of Westville and Roseland avenues, said the project will actually help slow down traffic in this area.

"Caldwell has a vibrant downtown district and the changes we are making with the approval of Caldwell's council will complement area merchants by slowing the traffic and making the district more attractive and visitor-friendly," he said in the statement.

Caldwell's council approved the federally-funded project in May by a 5-to-1 vote with Council President Ann Dassing opposed. 

Phil LiVecchi, Essex County's director of public works, outlined the plans during a March council meeting.

The project was initially intended to coincide with PSE&G's replacement of gas piping along Roseland Avenue and the repaving of Bloomfield Avenue, LiVecchi said at the March meeting.

The redesign project, which also added center islands on Bloomfield Avenue when it was repaved, will include: 

• The addition of a traffic signal to Westville Avenue at the corner of Roseland Avenue.
• The stoppage area for the Roseland Avenue traffic light at the corner of Bloomfield Avenue will be pushed back 70 feet to the area in front of the parking facility for the Caldwell Community Center.
• A cautionary blinking light will be added to Roseland Avenue south of the Caldwell Fire Department that will stop traffic when fire vehicles are exiting the station.
• Left-hand turn only lanes will be added to Bloomfield Avenue westbound at the corner of Roseland Avenue and eastbound at the corner of Forest Avenue. These lanes will result in a reduction of 16 parking spaces eastbound in front of the Caldwell Green and westbound from Nicco's deli to Stephanie's restaurant. However, four new spaces will be added in other areas of Bloomfield Avenue.
• Pedestrian countdown signals will be added as well as improvements to better define the crosswalks in this area.
• The installation of traffic cameras at these intersections to adjust the light signal according to the amount of vehicle volume.

Cowell considered sending a letter to DiVincenzo immediately after these changes were proposed, but said she held off until last month when no other options remained.

"Our concerns have thus far fallen on deaf ears," she wrote in the letter dated June 16. "We feel the cure is worse than the disease and would respectfully ask you to look at this problem from all sides.

"Many residents who experience the traffic at all hours would still prefer the congestion to adding turning lanes, which will change the complexion of a 'main street' downtown to a more urban, city-like environment and work against what we are trying to accomplish here."