New Traffic Pattern At Columbia High School Launches This Year In South Orange-Maplewood

SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD, NJ — A new traffic plan will be in effect for the start of the new academic year at Columbia High School in Maplewood.

The school, which also serves students from South Orange, will have a new circulation plan for drop-offs and pick-ups beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 2 (see diagram below).

The goal is to improve pedestrian and automobile safety around the Columbia High School campus, Maplewood township officials said.

Here are two key changes to know, officials said:

• DROP OFF ZONES – The new plan prohibits student drop-offs along Parker Avenue, between Valley Street and Prospect Street. Instead, four drop-off zones have been created on Valley Street, Academy Street, North Terrace and Kensington Terrace.
• ONE-WAY STREETS, CLOSURES – From 7:15 to 8:15 a.m. and 2:10 to 3:10 p.m., Academy Street, North Terrace and Kensington Terrace will be designated as one-way in sections. Meanwhile, South Orange will close Hixon Place at Valley Street, and Sherman Place at Prospect Street. This use of temporary one-way streets and closures mirrors successful circulation plans implemented at Maplewood Middle School and Tuscan Elementary School.

“This circulation plan is all about safety, for our students and our drivers,” Maplewood Township Committee Member Vic DeLuca said.

“Our observation has been that pick-ups and drop-offs at CHS are chaotic, with students often crossing against traffic,” DeLuca said. “The goal with this plan is to try to bring order to the area so that everyone can drop off their children in a safe way.”

The new traffic plan is being introduced on a trial basis for at least six weeks so that adjustments can be made before the plan is finalized later this fall.

Additional police officers will be present to help drivers adjust to the new plan.

“Residents are asked to remain calm and courteous, drive safely, and remember that the goal of these traffic changes is our kids’ safety,” Maplewood town officials said.

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