Hekemian Traffic Study Calls for Peak Hour Delayed Green on River Road

In reviewing the revised traffic impact study she prepared, Elizabeth "Betsy" Dolan, a traffic engineer hired by Hekemian to analyze the traffic impact and trip generation of the proposed development of the United Water property, said that the light on River Road and Madison Avenue would have a delayed green to accommodate the increased traffic generated on Madison Avenue by the new development.

Dolan said that the delay would be during the peak hour of 3 pm to 4 pm, an hour, some argued, when River Road is congested with cars picking up students at the High School.

Berge Tombalakian, of Boswell Engineering--the town's engineer--asked if this delay might not cause cars on River Road to seek another route and look for alternative cut through side streets.

"This needs to be studied in depth to see what the real impact will be," Tombalakian said, and requested that Dolan complete a more detailed study.

Questions were also raised regarding the trip generation numbers Dolan projected on the new Shop Rite by using trip generation numbers from the current Shop Rite.

One resident argued that many people have stopped going to the existing Shop Rite because of its poor conditions. However, once a new Shop Rite is built people will come from Oradell and surrounding towns, increasing the number of cars on the road.

The hearing will continue on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 7:30pm in the New Milford Council Chambers at Borough Hall.