Readers are pleased that downtown traffic is going two ways now, but not very happy about all the Stop signs. It seems they’re not nearly as upset as some merchants about the loss of street parking.
The latest poll — returning after a several-week hiatus — marked a new high of 90 responses, and as always, a reminder that this is hardly any kind of scientific poll.
It’s only been about a month since the new traffic pattern started so the city plans to keep an eye on things and possibly tweak the system while talking to merchants and others affected.
“How’s two-way traffic downtown so far?”— Too many Stop signs along Irving, (35/90), 38 percent— Finally, two directions like everywhere else, (32/90), 35 percent— Where’d all the street parking go?!? (11/90), 12 percent— No big deal; how hard is it to drive on two sides? (7/90), 7 percent— Thank goodness, drivers are going slower, (5/90), 5 percent
It’s been mentioned that the average speed topped 40 mph when downtown streets were only one-way. That’s got to be tough on pedestrians. Perhaps the city should consider what Montclair did downtown this week, and go on a ticket binge, nailing motorists who don’t stop at crosswalks? Not only might that raise awareness or even change behavior (especially important when bringing more residents downtown and hoping they shop there) but it sure could raise some serious Quan. Or would it just be overkill?
As always, we’re open to suggestions for potential future RR polls.
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I live in the River Place apartments and walk to the train station each morning. Before the streets changed, I always found it difficult to cross Main St. near Cubanu as drivers were usually gunning it from the light at the intersection at E. Milton. Since the change things have improved greatly as drivers are slowed down a bit being in one lane and are more likely to stop to allow someone to cross. I think the stops signs all over Irving are too excessive though.
How many of those people polled actually do more than just drive through the neighborhood?
I am in the same situation as anonymous @ 1:23 am and he/she is right on the money. I feel a lot safer walking across streets in Rahway now as drivers seem more aware of the traffic changes and pedestrians.
Downtown parkers beware!!!! I went for a haircut at the “new” main st barbers- trying to do the local patron thing and parked at the corner of main st and w cherry.Well loook out people instead of yellow curbs which is the only no parking thing i know of besides a sign,the wonderful people in charge of downtown Rahway have installed little rust colored “dots” on top of the curb.When your heading towards E. Milton your exit on the street side now. I didnt see the curb level dots and 20 minutes later a traffic enforcer pounced upon my car! I ran outside and luckily the ticket process had not begun.I was then told I should have seen the dots on the curb on the opposite side of the car I exited! The town wants us to shop etc. downtown and already they are making things hard
I had a hard time parking to drop off and pickup a computer at Jumbo Computer on Cherry St. a few days ago.No place for loading and unloading.
From my experience, crossing over Irving has been much easier with motorists being more aware and patient to allow people to cross since 2-way traffic has been implemented. Main, however, I still can’t walk across with the confidence in thinking those signs (which have been there even before the 2-way reconfiguration) that I walk right next to in the crosswalks are going to have any impact. I often wait for a series of cars passing by, while not at a high rate of speed, they still don’t slow down to let people cross unless there’s a police cruiser in clear sight. And for those anonymous folks who like to take every post literally and dissect every (alleged) fact here, I say “often,” not “ALL” times.This is generally on the commute home when there’s just more traffic at 6, 7pm or so on Main.. in the mornings I generally am on a very early train so traffic isn’t an issue.