Eastman Street In Cranford Will Reopen To Traffic Monday

CRANFORD, NJ — After the state failed to give the town permission to close off Eastman Street in Cranford for pedestrians, it will reopen to traffic Monday.

"The township has had substantial engagement with the NJ Department of Transportation (DOT) on traffic circulation where Eastman Street meets North Avenue," said the latest Township Committee newsletter Friday. "Based on those discussions, the township will reopen Eastman Street for vehicular traffic effective Monday, Aug. 2 and create parklets on Eastman Street in spaces recommended by DOT. These will be similar to parklets in other areas of downtown."

The newsletter noted, "In April parklets were approved through October, and in May Eastman Street was closed between Miln Street and North Avenue to create the outdoor gathering spaces desired by our residents. This was similar to steps taken last year and has been well received by many members of our community."

However, while the town closed Eastman Street in spring, the move was not approved by the state Department of Transportation, according to a recent story in the Union News Daily.

Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty said Friday, "NJ DOT did reject Cranford's request to temporarily close Eastman Street. Our township attorney presented the Township Committee with an option: apply to close the street under the State Statute for Special Improvement Districts (SID) which defines Cranford's downtown area. By a 3-2 vote, Cranford communicated that to the DOT. I supported that approach."

That was not enough for the state. So the street will open back up.

"It was clear to me that this issue was not going to be resolved any time soon, so I notified the DOT Commissioner Diane Guterriez-Scaccetti that Cranford would comply with the directive from her office," Prunty said. "I share the commissioner's need to balance safety and efforts to make our business district competitive, appealing and successful."

Prunty noted that she did not close the street unilaterally, and that she's part of the Township Committee that makes decisions.

The Downtown Management Corporation is considering an “End of Summer” event on Eastman Street and will seek approval for a 48-hour street closure, which is permitted by the NJDOT, according to the newsletter.

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