Oradell advances pedestrian-safety plans, applies for Safe Streets and NJ Transit grants

The Oradell Mayor and Council on June 23 reported two grant applications to address pedestrian safety along the busy Kinderkamack corridor and near the train station. Councilman Gallo said the Public Safety Committee will begin a crosswalk compliance and enforcement campaign next month and the borough submitted applications for Safe Streets funding and a New Jersey Transit grant.

Engineer comments and conceptual drawings focused on bump-outs to shorten crossing distances, reestablishing flashing beacons, upgraded lighting, and even in-pavement lighting at crosswalks to increase visibility. "By incorporating bump-outs that gets better visibility for everybody," the borough engineer said, explaining the balance of engineering and enforcement.

Multiple residents urged near-term fixes: a local donor offered two solar-powered blinking pedestrian signs he said he had provided a year earlier but which had remained in DPW storage; the donor told the council he would assemble parts and volunteer to make the units ready for mounting if the borough could install them. "When you get something donated you should actually treat it as a gift," he said.

Council members acknowledged engineering constraints — including county-owned road segments and driveway conflicts that make stripe-and-crosswalk options complex — but said concept designs and enforcement would move forward if grants are awarded. The council also approved related grant-application resolutions at the meeting.

What to expect: If funded, engineering design work and targeted enforcement will follow; the police/public-safety team will carry out an enforcement campaign starting next month and the borough will coordinate with county engineering on any interventions on county roads.