Township Engineer Sees Issues with Turnpike Authority's Plans for GSP Exit 168

Washington Township Engineer Paul Azzolina, who is currently reviewing the New Jersey Turnpike Authority plan for Garden State Parkway Exit 168 and preparing a response letter, went before the governing body Monday night to discuss his analysis. He said he opposes the use of a yield instead of a stop at the end of the exit ramp and would like to see some pedestrian improvements to the area.

At the end of the ramp for Exit 168, motorists have the option of turning left or right onto Washigton Avenue. The line of sight has been a problem for years, Azzolina said, adding he sent a letter to the governing body in 2003 suggesting certain improvements. Officials said that area is where the majority of motor vehicle crashes occur in the township.

"As everybody knows, we have a large number of accidents in this location because the line of sight to the west is obstructed by fencing on the bridge plus curb alignment," Azzolina said. "It's a known problem which has gotten progressively worse."

Azzolina said he believes reconfiguring the ramp to make for a 90-degree orientation would be a benefit, allowing motorists greater visibility.

But the Turnpike Authority plans do not include such a reconfiguration. Azzolina said the plans call for a two-lane ramp (one for motorists making a left onto Washington Avenue and one for those turning right) with a yield sign instead of a stop sign at the end.

"They're creating an acceleration lane between the end of the ramp and Jackson Avenue, which is approximately 280 feet, which for my money that's not a long enough length of roadway in which to have a weave take place," Azzolina said.

He said that the Turnpike Authority is likely proposing a yield instead of a stop sign at the end of the ramp to keep traffic moving more quickly and prevent a backup on the Garden State Parkway. Azzolina said he would like to see evidence that the stop sign doesn't work.

Councilman Richard Hrbek said, "Our responsibility is to our residents and their safety. The Parkway and the Highway Authority is taking care of what they are perceiving as a stacking out onto the highway. We have to look at it from the other end."

The Turnpike Authority originally wanted a traffic light at the end of the 168 exit ramp but have since abandoned that idea after opposition from the township and the county.

Another aspect of the area that Azzolina said the plans ignore is the backup along Washington Avenue from the intersection of Pascack Road.

"There is a significant queue often to the bottom of Jackson Avenue basically every weekday between 4:30 and 6:30/7 [p.m.]," Azzolina said. "It's pretty much an everyday occurrence."

He added that he believes the cause for the amount of traffic is because motorists are prohibited from making a right hand turn to head eastbound when they exit the Garden State Parkway at Exit 171 in Woodcliff Lake.

Township officials have said for years that the prohibited right turn at Exit 171 causes motorists heading to certain portions of Park Ridge, Woodcliff Lake and Hillsdale to use Exit 168, which creates more traffic than necessary in Washington Township.

Because the prohibited right hand turn at Exit 171 involves a court case, the governing body in Woodcliff Lake would have to put a referendum question on the ballot before making permanent changes.

But Azzolina suggested, as he did in 2003, that a trial period be allowed to collect information.

"Count the cars at 168 today. Then allow you to make the turn at 171 for a six-month period so you get some hard data and then we know how many are getting off at 168 because they can't get off at 171," Azzolina said.

Councilmen asked if it would be feasible to create another exit off the Garden State Parkway so one could head east and the other west, but Azzolina said that was discussed in 2004 and found to be impractical because the Turnpike Authority would have to acquire additional land and some of the area is designated as wetlands.

Another issue Councilman Joseph D'Urso brought up at the meeting was the bus stop on Washington Avenue, which is very close to the 168 exit ramp. He said it's a danger for the people who use it.

Azzolina said he agreed and wanted to make the area more pedestrian friendly. "There is a sidewalk system along the bridge. Then it terminates," he said. "But you do have people that get off the bus and proceed westward."

He suggested a crosswalk across the ramp, a sidewalk across the island and another crosswalk. He said you could extend the sidewalk if necessary as well. 

Township resident Agnes Smith said she was getting frustrated with the process. "I think too much procrastination is going on," she said. "Work must start and be completed and it is not happening."

The next Washington Township council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 1.