The following is an ‘Ask The Mayor’ question submitted to TLS, and the Mayor’s response. Email your questions for the Mayor to [email protected].

Question:

Hi! I was wondering if there were any plans to put a turning light by Massachusetts and Cross. I make a left turn from Massachusetts onto Cross every day and since there are two lanes it is really hard to tell which cars from oncoming traffic are trying to make a left or going straight. I see near accidents on a daily basis. Thank you for giving us this forum and for your dedication to our town!

Response from Mayor Coles:

Good morning

I will ask our engineers to contact the county to see if we can get these turn arrows installed.

Thanks

Ray

Question:

Hi, Mr. Mayor. Good evening.

As a resident of the Ridge neighborhood, I drive by the Stirling Linden intersection daily. Over the past few years, I have witnessed multiple accidents at this intersection. Because there is no stop sign on Linden, people speed, and the cars that are trying to cross over can’t see them coming because of all the cars parked along Linden Avenue. I think installing a four-way stop at this intersection is the best way to prevent further accidents. Thank you again for all you do to enhance safety in our town.

Michael

Response from Mayor Coles:

Thank you for reaching out. I have asked traffic & safety to investigate and give us their recommendation for stop signs

Thanks

Ray

Question:

Dear Mayor Coles,

I live on Henry street, and I feel that I’m risking my life daily just to get out of my block while using my car. The corner of Henry street and Route 9 desperately needs a traffic light. The stop sign is not sufficient. It takes a lot of relying on the goodwill of others to let you cross over from one side of Henry to the other, and it isn’t safe.

Was there ever an application submitted for a traffic light on that corner?

In the interim , what can be done to alleviate the situation?

Also, would it be possible to have a crosswalk installed as well on the corner so that people can safely cross the street?

Thanks!

A Concerned Lakewood Resident

Response from Mayor Coles:

Good morning

We requested the state allow us to install several lights along Rt 9 as pat of the ongoing upgrades they are doing.

They would not allow us to place a light at Henry or Princewood.

We are currently working with the DOT to do some additional safety & traffic upgrades in the area beyond what they have scheduled. I will make sure we include the conversation.

I will ask traffic & safety to look at the situation on Henry and make some recommendation to improve the situation in the meantime.

Thanks,

Ray

Question:

Hi to the honorable Mayor,

We lived at this home for few years already and now have done renovations to make a half circle driveway as we have a very hard time pulling in amd out, as we are on a turn that people are speeding 40mph always and when the bus stops in front of the house the people on coming from the turn do not see and end up short stopping which caused few accidents already.

Im asking if you can put a sign or bump on this turn for cars pulling out of the driveway.

Thank You,

Response from Mayor Coles:

I will ask our engineer to look into signage to alert folks of your driveway. Speed bumps & humps are not usually approved, because they tend to make the situation worse.

Ray

Question:

Good Morning Mayor, Several months ago you responded to my problem regarding a street light out between my neighbor’s house and mine. My original call to JCPL was Oct 7,2023. Someone came out after 3 months and told me that there was nothing he could do and was putting in a report for further action to be done. It is now approximately 7 months and still no street light. The problem is between 802 and 810 Morris Ave.

Response from Mayor Coles:

Hi Barbara

I am sorry that JCPL has not gotten to this yet. I wish JCP&L was as efficient as the mayor’s office staff.

I received this reply from Evan before I even read your email this morning

“Already on it. Sent it over to JCPL Contact to expedite this light. Hoping to hear why they delayed repairing this light ”

I have asked him to stay on top of it

Ray

Question:

Hi Mr Mayor, I hope all is well,

The light on central and Rt 9 has had a malfunction with its turning arrow for a few months. This has caused unnecessary extra traffic for cars heading east on central towards Rt 9. The arrow for cars on hurley should only appear if there are actually cars there, which many times there are not. I know this question came up before but nothing has happened. . We really appreciate all the work you do for the town.

Thank you.

Response from Mayor Coles:

We will get right on it. Thanks for alerting me

Ray

Question:

Hi Mr. Mayor;

I am a long time Lakewood resident and watched the blinking light go up on the corner of Forest Ave, and 14th Street then turn into a regular traffic light. It was definitely needed. However, I would like to suggest a change in the turning lanes. Most of the traffic coming East from 14th St is turning left onto Forest. I have seen traffic during morning rush (8:45-9:30) backed up six blocks to Laurelwood Ave. Very few cars are turning left or going straight, since there is no left turn on Madison Ave. You can have one car waiting to cross Forest going straight and holding up two to three blocks of cars trying to turn right. There are even fewer cars turning left on Forest coming West on 14th from Madison.

I would like to suggest that you change the left only turning lane going East to straight and left turns, and the right lane should be for right turns to Forest Ave. only.

Thank you for all your hard work to make our community safe and secure.

Response from Mayor Coles:

Than you for the suggestion. I’ve asked our engineer to look into it and see what we can do to adjust it.

Take care

Ray

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Have a question for the Mayor? Send it to [email protected]

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