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 Mr. Mayor,

Thanks for taking the time to answer forum questions. In regard to traffic on Rt 9 it sure does seems the traffic lights need reprogramming for the current traffic flow. The light at rt 9 and central does not allow more cars through then those that reach the RR tracks. By the time anyone is moving at regular speed the light changes to red. Similar for the signal facing central. Why aren’t the lights programmed for just 15-25 seconds longer in each direction allowing the flow of traffic to move through at higher speed? Many of the major intersections further north along the 9 handle a greater flow of traffic easily by better timing the lights.

I know this is a state road but if they are looking for low cost, high impact changes I imagine this should be considered?

Thanks,
Jacob

Response from Mayor Coles:

Thanks for writing. Traffic engineers do their best to time the lights to maximize movement in all directions & try to minimize backups somewhere else. It is great in practice but does not always work in real life. There are many lights in town that require periodic upgrades to their timing. I have asked our engineer to contact the stare and ask them to look into the timing & movements at this light and several others in town.

Take care

Ray

Question:

Dear Mayor

Thank you for all that you do for the town. I have a small suggestion which I believe can make traffic a bit better. There is often traffic buildup when approaching New Hampshire from Oak street- there are many cars waiting to turn left onto New Hamshire and this greatly delays anyone waiting to go straight or turn right. Generally, the drivers form a line on the right side shoulder to bypass the cars turning left. However, since this is not a legal road there are occasionally cars parked in a way that prevents this from happening. It also a problem on garbage day where there are garbage cans blocking the curb. I would therefore suggest that the right curb be turned into a straight/right turning lane to avoid this backup. Wishing you and everyone a sweet new year!

Response from Mayor Coles:

Hi Benny

Thanks for this suggestion. I forwarded it to our engineer to see how we can add it. It will require buy in from the county as well, since they ultimately control the intersection.

Thanks

Ray

Question:

Hi Mr. Mayor,

Thanks for all that you do at all times to keep and improve Lakewood for all of us. And thank you to TLS for offering this platform.

The intersection at Rt 9 and Kennedy has a very short turn light, and only 3 or 4 cars have time to turn per light. Since turns are only allowed with the turn light, it can get very backed up at that corner at certain times of day, especially with the shopping center on that corner as well. Is it possible to lengthen the amount of time allowed for cars to turn onto Kennedy within each light?

Response from Mayor Coles:

Good morning. I will ask engineering to contact the county and state and see if we can get the timing of the light adjusted.

Thanks for letting me know about this

Ray

Question:

There are two places in town that I find it hard to see when turning. They do not need traffic lights, they just need some clearing.

The first place is Cedarview Avenue and W. County Line. When trying to turn onto County Line, there are a whole bunch of trees/bushes that really do not allow the driver to see cars coming. This is whether you are making a right or a left. If it is private property, perhaps the township can offer to cut or trim the trees so drivers can see better when turning.

The second intersection is Old Whitesville and New Egypt by Bnos Esther Malka. When cars park all along New Egypt drivers cannot see traffic coming down the street. Again it makes no difference if you are turning right or left, you cannot see if cars are coming. Perhaps the township can make some of that curb a do not parking space. Just enough to be safe for the cars turning from Old Whitesville to be able to see traffic coming.

Thanks for all the work you do for the residents of Lakewood.

Response from Mayor Coles:

Thank you for letting me know about this. I will ask Public Works to get a crew out there to clear the area around the lights

Thanks

Ray

Question:

Hello, I do understand that Lakewood does naturally have a lot of traffic and there is a limited amount that can be done. However, the turn from cross onto James, might have a solution and it does cause a huge backlog, often all the way down to the beginning of cross. There is no turning light for those trying to turn onto James, and there is no turning lane!! That means if one wants to turn, he will hold up the whole line of cars and often there is no way to go around it!! So for the duration of the green maybe only a few cars pass!! Can a turning lane or turning light be built?
Thank you

Response from Mayor Coles:

That is part of the county’s road improvement plan for Cross. I will forward your email to the county engineer and ask that the work be prioritized

Thanks

Ray

Question:

I’ve driven by here many times and ppl do not obey the signs of no parking is their any way this can be in forced as it backs up Massachusetts all the way back m
Thanks

Response from Mayor Coles:

Good morning,

I will ask the chief to do some enforcement in this area.

Thanks

Ray

Question:

Thank you mayor Coles for allowing us to contact you in this form. We are very appreciative!

I travel every morning on Martin Luther toward pine to drop off my child. About half the days there is a car or truck parked on MLK which congests all the traffic into one lane.
Closer to the traffic light there are signs no parking can that please be done further up the road too ?
Why should hundreds wait in traffic because one person isn’t utilizing their driveway ?

Attached below is a pic from today.
No different than any other day, but you can see what I am referring to.

Thanks the most!
Wishing you All the best.

Response from Mayor Coles:

Thanks for making me aware of this. I have asked Traffic & Safety to look at the area to see if the No Parking can be moved further down.

Stay safe

Ray

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

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