The intersection of Rock Road and Hamilton Avenue and the intersection of Maple Avenue and Hamilton Avenue otherwise know as “the cut” was blocked off recently by temporary barriers. The “blocking” coincided with Bergen County upgrades to the traffic signal system at that location.
Soon after, work began on the Harristown Avenue crossing of NJ TRANSIT’S Bergen County line.
The result of all this simultaneous construction was a traffic mess for drivers that occurred twice a day at school dismissal and rush hour which sometimes halted traffic on Hamilton Avenue and Maple Avenue between Glen Avenue and Rock Road.
The NJ Transit crossing has been completed as well as the traffic signal installation at the intersection of Rock Road, Hamilton Avenue and Maple Avenue.
But “the cut” remains blockaded by unsightly temporary barricades and has become a bit of an eyesore. In an interview, Councilmember Skip Huisking said that “The Hamilton cross drive triangle will be closed permanently. More appealing blockades will be installed. “Bergen County has a number of these “high risk” intersections and we are glad we were able to get ours started as soon as we did.”
From January 2015 through August 2018 there have been over 50 accidents at those intersections; some involving pedestrians, some involving vehicles and some involving both. A pedestrian was hit by a bus in Glen Rock this past year at the triangle.
The efforts at the intersection were a joint effort of the Borough of Glen Rock and Bergen County.
Before Bergen County could act, Glen Rock had to pass a resolution requesting a change to the makeup of the intersection. The county engineer then performed a feasibility study and made a recommendation to the Glen Rock Mayor and Council. “The first thing that has to happen is the local municipality has to pass a request for a change of traffic signals,” the Councilmember said. “There’s a process that needs to take place.”
According to Huisking, local officials initiate the process by approving a resolution to request specific changes from the county. The county engineer then performs a feasibility study and makes a recommendation.
“What everyone sees now is the completion of Phase I. There is a Phase II which includes some movement of the triangle so I believe they are waiting to see what grants and support can be financed so it does not reside fully on GR’s tax base,” Huisking said. “The planning is in the works now to get that finalized. But it is not on the immediate horizon.
“There should be an upgrade of the triangle and a new “GLEN ROCK” arborvitae! When it’s all done it will be much safer for autos and pedestrians.” he concluded.
