Bergenfield–PSE&G construction at the intersection of Windsor and Newbridge Roads in Bergenfield has caused considerable traffic issues and safety concerns for those in and around that area.
PSE&G is upgrading its electricity substation, near Sears on Newbridge Road. The final phase involves connecting underground wiring to the existing system, said Ora Kornbluth, a Bergenfield councilwoman who is a member of community. “This should help us. We will have a lot fewer power outages,” said Kornbuth.
There have been general delays and inconveniences getting to Pathmark, Grand & Essex, Farmer’s Market, Wine Country, Walgreen’s and other local merchants. The project caused the most concern for residents when the south side of the street next to Pathmark was closed and prevented left turns onto Windsor Road from Newbridge Road, westbound. Those living in the area coped with nasty detour traffic, because drivers made turns into normally quiet streets to double back to Windsor.
“I called the police department on Motzei Shabbos (October 18th) since the amount of cars coming down Greenbriar (most of which were speeding), was getting crazy,” said Nina Eizikovitz, a Bergenfield resident. Lt. Jerry Stapleton, who is in charge of the traffic bureau, was extremely understanding, she said. They went through a number of options and Stapleton implemented several actions to discourage speeding inside the areas most commonly used for detours around the construction site.
While the project was set to be completed by October 24th, there are associated smaller projects in and around the area until the beginning of November, but Kornbuth said the entire project (barring rain delays) is set to be completed by mid-November. After the current phase is completed, the project will be concluded eastward (away from the neighborhood), and completion work will be scheduled mostly at night.
Aware that the intersection at Windsor and Newbridge Roads is a highly trafficked area, Stapleton said the police department was very careful to keep at least one lane open each way at all times. “We did our best to avoid road closures,” he told JLBC.
Anyone will additional concerns or questions is invited to email Lt. Jerry Stapleton at [email protected].
By Elizabeth Kratz
