Branch Avenue Lights to Begin Blinking Wednesday

See Ted Run ! June 20, 2012 at 09:42 am

As a Branch Ave resident, I do hope to see safety improves. My kids have a hard time crossing the street to see their friends. A car nearly ran over me by an inch as I've tried to cross the street. Truthfully, there has been a lot of agitated drivers (impatience) blowing their horns on a daily basis at the Branch/Rumson intersection. I have seen cars driving onto sidewalk in order to pass the cars waiting to make left turn at the intersection. It would be nice to see plastic barrier cones along the sidewalk near the intersection to deter drivers from passing vehicles that are making left turns at the intersection. (and to prevent them from driving on sidewalk) I am just crossing my fingers that this will help.

Normajean June 20, 2012 at 11:26 am

Agree. It would be helpful to have Yield to Pedestrian signs at all the crosswalks on Branch Ave. I can't tell you how many times I have not received a give-way even with a bright orange double stroller.

Sour grapes June 20, 2012 at 05:09 pm

We purchased our home 4 years ago this month. Unfortunately we were first time buyers living in another state. We were not privy to the long debate of setting up lights on our corner. Of course we just assumed that there would be transperancy in our purchase. We were so wrong! Now we enjoy traffic lights for our view. Of course the lights will increase traffic and cause more idling cars to pollute the air outside our home. We have two young children that will be affected by this and unless we can find gullable out of state buyers our property will probably be worthless as an investment. The lesson in this? BUYER BEWARE!
Sour Grapes in Little Siilver

Don June 20, 2012 at 06:45 pm

Sour grapes. I'm not so sure. The same thought applied when lights were put in near the CVS on Prospect. It actually worked out quite well. I think the lights that are installed on Branch may actually improve your surroundings. I sure hope they do. Without the light it seems to be chaotic so maybe you will actually see some improvements.

Hazel Kelly June 21, 2012 at 11:37 am

The lights may help things for traffic flow but the idling concerns are an issue here for sure. Having lived on Winfield Drive for 26 years the increase in difficulty turning left is noted but I feel it could have been managed with no left turn signs on Winfield and Branch during busy hours. Right now i have a lovely blinking light flashing in my front window! Also if the color of the lights was changed to black like the ones on Prospect and Harding they would be far less obtrusive. Also the glaring metal control box is also facing my house. I feel like I am living in an urban community. Hope this remains temporary as assured by the county and police