Summit Council Approves New Sidewalks, Safety Features For Road

SUMMIT, NJ — Members of the Summit Common Council approved new sidewalks and other safety features for Canoe Brook Parkway at Tuesday night's meeting.

Upgraded draining structures, inspection and repairs of sewers, a four-way stop, curb repairs, ADA sidewalk ramps, and crosswalk installations are all included in the plan. The construction is being funded through a project fund from a New Jersey Department of Transportation grant of $1 million, along with other capital money.

"This was a lengthy process," councilmember Delia Hamlet said during the reading while speaking to the public, "and I hope you feel your voices were heard." This comes after heavy support from the community during multiple meetings leading up to Tuesday's vote, according to Hamlet, in favor of an upgrade to the side of the street without direct impact to utility units.

Another issue was the potential for a six-way stop at the intersection with Woodland Avenue, with one resident telling Council they and their neighbors felt it was "unnecessarily complicated." Officials settled on the four-way stop after consulting with architects of the project who assured them the four-way was just as feasible.

Only one side of the street will be getting the sidewalk, for now. While a start date was not confirmed, city officials said the total project is estimated to last between 12 and 16 weeks.

MORE FROM PATCH: What To Know About Door-To-Door Visits Being Made In Union County