Essex County Looks To Cure Long Queues At Roseland Avenue Intersection

An intersection in Caldwell known for its exceptionally long queue times is finally getting a much-needed adjustment.

Crews will modify the road striping at the Essex County owned intersection of Roseland, Westville and Bloomfield avenues that is expected to decrease wait times for those traveling in the northbound lanes — or toward Bloomfield Avenue. 

James Jorgensen, director of purchasing and public agency compliance officer for Essex County, unveiled the changes on Tuesday.

Caldwell Police Chief James Bongiorno said the improvements should do a lot to cut down on the buildup that happens at the intersection everyday. 

“I definitely think its going to alleviate traffic … and move that traffic forward,” said Bongiorno.  

Adjustments will be made to the queuing lanes on Roseland Avenue, said Jorgensen. The road striping designating lanes for drivers turning left onto Westville or Bloomfield avenues and those turning right onto Bloomfield Avenue will be extended to the Caldwell Fire Department.

Adding to the long wait times are cars parking illegally on the northbound side of Roseland Avenue. Those illegally parked cars, said Bongiorno, are cutting off a lane of travel and causing a bottleneck.

Bongiorno guaranteed that officers will be spending a more time in that area to prevent drivers from parking there.

“The concept is if we extend the queuing and eliminate those cars parking illegally, … the backup .. should be gone,” said Jorgensen. 

Crews will be at the intersection changing the road striping beginning Wednesday.

Tom Tevlin, who lives in Parkside Gardens located on Roseland Avenue, has been asking the council for months to somehow allay the traffic buildup that blocks the ingress and egress to his condominium community. On Tuesday, he was pleased with the solution the Caldwell Council and Essex County came up with. 

“I don’t think it’s going to cure all the problems, but I think it’s going to aid in rectifying some of the backup that occurs on a daily basis,” said Tevlin.