Morris Township to Freeholders: Expand Traffic Study

The unanimously approved a resolution last week to request an expansion of the East Hanover Traffic Study.

The purpose of the study, which has been ongoing for more than a year, is to evaluate the traffic patterns from East Hanover Avenue from Speedwell Avenue to Whippany Road.

The Township Committee is asking the Morris County Freeholders to expand the study from Speedwell Avenue along East Hanover Avenue back to the traffic light at Burnham Road and Stiles Avenue.

"We just want to know what the traffic impacts are going to be if there is a change in the timing of the lights, if there are additional things that we as the township need to do to prevent a tremendous amount of cut-through traffic when the expansion in Hanover happens," Township Committee Member Bruce Sisler said.

The 2.4-mile corridor that runs through Morris Township, Morris Plains and Hanover Township is being evaluated because of current congestion issues, and the idea that the traffic could get worse from redevelopment projects in the area.

Hanover Township already has two redevelopment projects proposed for retail and supermarket stores, and officials speculate the plans will increase traffic in the already congested area.

The Morris County Department of Public Works requested the NJDOT conduct this study to analyze existing congestion in the area, and develop improvements to reduce traffic and increase safety.

Sisler, who has lived in the Fairchild section of Morris Township his entire life, said he has noticed an increase in traffic in the area in the past few decades, and believes it is important to evaluate the area and get input from experts.

The study is being evaluated by traffic engineers, who have come up with several proposals for the freeholders to consider.

According to Mary Jo Buchanan, the Morris County assistant administrator, the next steps for the plan is a meeting between Freeholder Director Bill Chegwidden and the mayors of Morris Township and Morris Plains. Buchanan said the meeting is in the process of being set up.

"I think the intent is for everybody to come to the table and share their concerns because this has been an issue that has been under discussion for quite some time," Buchanan said. "Certainly, the freeholders heard from various different sectors about their feelings, so I think the freeholder director is hoping to bring in the mayors and have a conversation about where the project goes from here."