Politics & Government
Westwood Closing Madison Avenue [Poll]
The Westwood Council voted in favor of closing Madison Avenue where it bisects Veterans' Memorial Park and doing other work to add parking and improve the flow of traffic.
Drivers will no longer be able to cut through in Westwood to reach Washington Avenue.
The Westwood Council voted 4-1 Tuesday to proceed with a plan from Borough Engineer Stephen Boswell that will close Madison Avenue near the intersection of Washington Avenue and Third Avenue.
"This is the worst intersection in our community," Councilman John Sciara said.
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The plan also involves widening Madison Avenue and Third Avenue to add 20 additional parking spaces. Park Avenue, which is currently a one-way street between Third and Second Avenue, will be made a two-way street. Boswell estimated the project will cost $240,000.
Closing Madison Avenue was recommended by Westwood Police. Police Captain Frank Durante said he believes the change will make the area safer for drivers and pedestrians. Bergen County also wants the road to be closed for improvements they are making to Third Avenue.
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"I believe this is a very beneficial project for the borough," Mayor John Birkner said.
Council President Cynthia Waneck disagreed, saying she would prefer to see the results of the upcoming signal changes to intersections along Broadway before agreeing to the change. Waneck, who voted against the plan, also said the cost of the project was more than she wanted to add to the borough's debt and that it would be better to spend on sewers, if anything.
"I think that we may be creating safety issues where there are none now," Waneck said.
Councilwoman Ingrid Quinn also expressed concern that the plan could inadvertently increase traffic on Second Avenue. Capt. Durante said he believed the upcoming signal improvements would make drivers less likely to take side streets when passing through.
Councilman Peter Grefrath said the project could be added to the existing plan to improve the park without any problems. Work on the second section of the park is scheduled to start in early August.
The council will have to vote on an ordinance to fund the plan at their August meeting.
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