The following is an ‘Ask The Mayor’ question submitted to TLS, and the Mayor’s response. Email your questions for the Mayor to AskTheMayor@thelakewoodscoop.com.
Question:
Dear Mayor,
I am writing to you today to suggest that you construct a roundabout at the intersection of Oberlin Avenue and Vassar Avenue, right by the entrance of Yeshiva Orchos Chaim. I believe that this would be a great way to ease traffic in this area and make it safer for everyone.
As you know, this intersection is very busy, especially during rush hour. There is often congestion and confusion as there are cars entering and exiting the Orchos Chaim parking lot, in addition to cars and trucks driving down Oberlin, while more cars and buses and UPS trucks are turning to and from Oberlin to Vassar. Traffic tends to back up often. This can be very frustrating for drivers and can also lead to accidents.
A roundabout would help to alleviate this problem by providing a more efficient way for cars to flow through the intersection. In addition, a roundabout would be safer for pedestrians and cyclists. The circular design of a roundabout makes it easier for drivers to see pedestrians and cyclists, and it also slows down traffic. This would make it safer for people to cross the street or ride their bikes in this area.
I believe that a roundabout would be a great addition to Lakewood. It would help to ease traffic, make it safer for everyone, and improve the quality of life for residents. I urge you to consider this proposal.
Most importantly, whatever you do implement, please ensure that it is constructed at an opportune time when traffic is least affected. Summer would be a great time for this.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
A Lakewood Resident
Response from Mayor Coles:
Hi Shimmy
I’m not sure we have enough room for a true roundabout there, or if it will really help, I am going to ask our engineers to look at the area, consider your request and see if there are any other ideas they can suggest which will help.
Thanks for writing
Ray
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Do it Lakewood style. Get a township engineer to do a traffic study; they’ll say, nah, it’s fine
I disagree completely with this idea. This will make that area worse, more dangerous, and even more backed up. The Township installed such a roundabout on Oak and Albert years ago and it was deemed more problematic than helpful.
In this particular area on Oberlin that you refer to, it will be even worse than Oak was. As one example, vehicles trying to turn left from Vasser into Oberlin will have an even harder time-they will need to first go toward the right, in order to then turn left around the roundabout. By the time they reach that point, there will be additional incoming cars from Cedarbridge that were not there a few seconds ago. Had the left turners been able to just turn left, they’d be on their way – but now they suddenly need to stop, and wait for the new stream of cars coming from Cedarbridge.
It’s a terrible idea. People just get confused by these roundabouts because they don’t know who has the right of way and it ends up with many more traffic accidents.
well said, i think most people would agree! Just look at what happens at 4 way stop signs!
So dumb, learn the laws and you’ll know
While I have zero experience in traffic flow & geographic planning I’d like to suggest an overpass on Oberlin. This way people not going somewhere local can quickly pass through this area without causing more traffic problems. Lakewood can issue stickers to those using the overpass to identify themselves to the police. With all this traffic, police officers should be at every intersection directing traffic ONLY not ticketing law breakers because we know that causes rubber necking which slows traffic even more.
[p.s. How do I contact the Mayor? My wi-fi (used for business only with a filter) at home is pretty slow. I’d like the Mayor to come to my home to fix it.]
With all due respect Mr Mayor, I think it would be beneficial to appoint someone in charge of traffic/road issues in town. You are such a busy man and it’s impossible for you to be on top of the road situation. Please look in to this, for your own and for everyone’s sake! Thank you Ray!! I’ve proudly been voting for you since 2001! Keep up the great work!
People can barely get the concept of driving straight around here without running into each other and you want to add a traffic circle? How about people just be patient and respectful of each other and lets see how that goes first.