Proposed Ridge School Traffic Change Defeated

The Ridgewood Village Council on Wednesday night elected to unanimously defeat an ordinance that would have prohibited residents from making left turns into Ridge Elementary School.

In defeating the ordinance, council members said they would be taking up a larger discussion and study of traffic issues around the West Side elementary school.

Prior to the ordinance introduction, engineering and police staff expressed concern that the scene at pickups and dropoffs had become too chaotic.

Residents hoping to avoid the buildup of cars queuing on the east side of the street have instead driven west on West Ridgewood Avenue to make a left into the school driveway. Children walking around the area could be in danger, officials said. Vehicles attempting to drive west on West Ridgewood Avenue also are forced to drive in the opposite lane into oncoming traffic to avoid the slowdown.

To avoid the gridlock near the school, vehicles use South Murray as a cut-thru. Meanwhile, there's precious few parking spots at the school itself and most streets in the neighborhood have parking bans established.

A recent survey found only 70 of more than 500 students regularly walk to school.