Reader-submitted: Dear Lakewood Scoop, Please allow me to share with you an experience that I had with the ‘Ask the Mayor’ forum on The Lakewood Scoop.
I recently emailed the ‘Ask the Mayor’ forum on TLS about an intersection that had big traffic backups. The county intends on installing a light at that intersection, but they said that it is going to take some time. In my letter to the mayor (see below*), I suggested that a traffic guard be stationed at that intersection until a light is installed to help move the big lines of backed up traffic along.
Very shortly afterwards, I was emailed by Sgt. Work from the LPD’s Traffic Safety Unit saying that the chief was contacted by the Mayor’s office, and the township would like to station someone there to move the traffic along. The next day I passed by the intersection and saw an amazing traffic guard (standing in the rain) moving traffic along in a highly efficient and effective manner.
I think that the timing and effectiveness of the township’s response to a suggestion is truly unprecedented. I think that Lakewood is truly lucky to have such leaders such as the Mayor, Chief, Sgt. Work, the township committee, and all of the township employees.
Thank you so much to the Mayor, Chief, and Sgt. Work for being so responsive!
Additionally, I emailed the county with the suggestion of putting a light at that intersection. I sent the email over the weekend. First thing Monday morning the County Engineer called me to let me know that the county has plans to install a light there. I would like to thank the County, and the County Engineer for being so responsive.
P.S For whatever my two cents is worth: I think that the money spent positioning traffic guards at highly congested intersections is really good bang for the buck. They do an even better job than a traffic light. When a traffic light turns green, or a a turn arrow turns green, it takes forever for the cars in front to finally start going at a normal speed. By the time cars start moving at a normal speed the light turns red again. Traffic guards have a way of telling the people in the front to step on it, and direct the line of cars till the last car had a chance to go.
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*
The question:
Dear Mayor Coles,
The intersection of Williams and James gets backed up terribly. I emailed the county engineer about installing a traffic light there. He responded immediately (thank you county for being so responsive!) saying that a light is in the plans. He thinks that it would be installed in 2018.
I just went to pick up my daughter from camp. It took me 7-8 minutes just to make a left turn from Williams onto James. I came late to her pickup. Would it by any chance be an idea to station someone at that intersection to move the traffic along?
Thanks so much!
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The Mayor’s response on Wednesday. (Above letter was submitted the following day.)
Hi Kenneth,
That is one of several lights we are having installed. I will ask the chief to see about having a crossing guard there to help out.
Thanks for reaching out
Ray
What is mayor Cole’s email?
SGT Work*
Yes. That was extremely helpful yesterday afternoon! Thank you so much. Is there one in the AM also?
I noticed yesterday that there was someone stationed at that intersection directing traffic and wondered what prompted it. Thank you so much for your suggestion! It really kept traffic moving!
A traffic person will keep things moving more efficiently and give someone a job too. Also a traffic light isn’t needed at all our of the day, only at peak times, so at other times sitting and waiting for a light to change when there is no traffic is a waste of time.
THANK YOU!!!!!
Kudos to the Mayor!
Let’s get cracking on the Real Estate taxes and the circus otherwise known as Lakewood Public School system
Thanks
Yes the mire and chief and meny others are the reason that lkwd is such a good place to live!
Ty!!!
yaaaaaay!!
The following intersections should have crossing guards during rush hour pine and MLK oak and route nine and oak albert and oak ridge and county line cross and prospect central and route 9
I was there today I was so pleasantly surprised to see how nicely the traffic was moving I saw the crossing guard And was also wondering. thank you!
Thanks to the one who sat down and wrote the letter to the Mayor! We all have complaints and/or suggestions, instead of talking about how nothing gets done, reach out to the correct authorities. They are there to help us!
Perhaps TLS can publish a list of emails for all the different departments in the various agencies who can help us. For example – the town, county and state engineering departments etc.
As someone commented a light would only be needed at very busy times which isn’t usually the case at that intersection. A traffic circle at that intersection would be much more appropriate and resolve the issue.