Crosswalk Improvements Give Boost To Pedestrian Safety In Chatham

CHATHAM, NJ — A crosswalk improvement project is coming to Fairmount Avenue in Chatham Township, the Chatham Township Committee said Tuesday, adding that it will help to improve pedestrian safety in the area.

Earlier this year, Chatham Township was awarded $375K in state funds from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) as part of the Local Aid Infrastructure Fund.

The grant funds will be used to improve 14 crosswalks located along Fairmount Avenue in eleven different locations. These enhancements promise safer crosswalks, lowering the risk of accidents and ensuring pedestrians can cross roads with greater confidence.

The improvements will ensure that all crosswalks are ADA-compliant, allowing everyone, regardless of physical ability, to use them. According to the township, safer and more accessible neighborhoods frequently see an increase in property values.

Here is a list of all the affected crosswalks:

• Runnymede Road (north)
• Ramapo Trail (2)
• Rockledge Trail
• Runnymede Road (south) (2)
• Tanglewood Lane
• Mohawk Trail (2)
• Birch Hill Drive
• Stonewyck Road
• Sunset Terrace
• Mountainview Road
• Nicholson Drive

Engineer John Ruschke gave an in-depth public presentation on the upcoming project during the Township Committee meeting on Aug. 15, expressing the need for the planned improvements.

"Right now, there are no ramps associated with the crosswalks, so we wanted to construct appropriate ADA-compliant ramps at both locations, and certainly, visibility is a big issue that we want to try to enhance and improve at all the locations, and in order to do that, we are proposing some very significant curb changes," Ruschke said.

The project's main efforts include upgrading the crosswalk curb ramps to meet ADA standards, installing detectable warning surfaces and associated turning spaces, restriping crosswalks, installing new concrete curbs, and restoring surrounding road, sidewalk, and lawn areas.

The township said that while the goal is to initiate construction by November 2023, the timeline might see adjustments due to factors like NJDOT and Morris County approvals, meeting schedules, legal requirements, publication timelines, and unforeseen weather conditions.

"Our community deserves streets and crosswalks that are safe, accessible, and a source of pride. While we are eager to get started, we are also committed to due diligence. We encourage and welcome feedback from all our residents," Mayor Ashley Felice said.

The Chatham Township Committee said that they are still actively seeking the community's insights and feedback on the project and that all immediate neighbors and property owners will be notified personally via mail about the project's specifics.