Traffic Frustrations Grow Around Cranford Apartment Development

CRANFORD, NJ — Residents raised ongoing concerns during the May 19 Township Committee meeting in Cranford about traffic near the 750 Walnut Avenue development, saying congestion in the area has become increasingly noticeable as the project fills up.

As tenants and businesses continue moving into the Hartz Mountain development, some neighbors say the traffic impact feels heavier than what was originally expected during the approval process.

Subscribe

Percy Avenue resident Mark Zucker told township officials that what residents are now experiencing doesn’t match what was presented earlier in the planning stages.

“Now the time has passed, the project is complete, and tenants and businesses have occupied their location, we are experiencing the real life consequences of the traffic generated by 750 Walnut,” Zucker said.

Zucker said he attended earlier planning meetings and raised questions at the time about how the traffic projections would hold up once the site was fully occupied.

“This traffic study was based upon scientific principles and calculations,” Zucker said. “Any reasonable person would insist that theories and assumptions demand validation.”

Residents in attendance said traffic backups and heavier volume on nearby roads have become more noticeable as activity at the development increases.

Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty said a follow-up traffic study is expected to move forward now that the development is fully occupied. She said the study will be conducted by the township and funded through escrow funds tied to the project.

Mayor Miller Prunty also said a neighborhood meeting is expected before the study begins.