Description
Can the people of Pacific Avenue get a stop sign at Bramhall to stop the speeding traffic and dangerous cars? There have been numerous accidents including several hit and runs because of speed and out-of-control vehicles. The city could make a fortune if they enforced the speed limit. We've asked for a speed bump but were told no because emergency vehicle use.
61 Comments
Jersey City, NJ (Verified Official)
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
Thinkoutloud (Registered User)
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
Αναγνωρισμένο Traffic – Daniella G (Verified Official)
Κλειστό Traffic – Daniella G (Verified Official)
Reopened An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
Κλειστό Traffic – Daniella G (Verified Official)
Reopened An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
I live on Pacific and it does need a stop sign. Or if you think it doesn't need a stop sign then please add a traffic light like the other traffic lights on Pacific. And if it doesn't need a traffic light at Branhall because of the speeding, then please remove all the other unnecessary traffic lights on Pacific.
To ignore how dangerous Pacific is is unfair to the people who live in the neighborhood.
Αναγνωρισμένο Traffic – Daniella G (Verified Official)
Traffic – Daniella G (Verified Official)
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
IKX (Registered User)
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
Traffic – Daniella G (Verified Official)
JFB (Registered User)
IKX (Registered User)
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
IKX (Registered User)
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
Communipaw (Registered User)
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
Communipaw (Registered User)
Traffic - Mike (Verified Official)
Traffic Engineering conducted a traffic study along Bramhall Avenue between Woodward St and Pacific Ave after receiving a request to convert Bramhall Ave into a one-way street because residents felt that the roadway is too narrow to accommodate two-way traffic as well as on-street parking along both sides of the street. Bramhall Ave is approximately 30 feet wide, which is similar to other two-way streets in Jersey City with parking on both sides for low-volume residential roadways. However, it is narrow for higher volume roadways. The residents also shared concerns about traffic safety at the intersections along Bramhall Ave at Woodward St, Halladay St, and Pacific Ave, speeding, sideswipes of parked vehicles, and cut-through traffic of drivers avoiding the traffic signals along Communipaw Avenue. The study involved a traffic volume data collection effort along Bramhall Ave, a survey of the existing roadway conditions, a crash analysis, and warrant analyses to determine if all-way stop control is warranted at the intersections of Bramhall Ave with Halladay St and at Pacific Ave.
Based on the results of the study, all-way stop control was not warranted at the intersections of Bramhall Ave at Pacific Ave or Bramhall Ave at Halladay St. A review of the traffic volume data was conducted and it is anticipated that a one-way conversion of Bramhall Ave would not significantly impact the traffic operations in the adjacent roadway network. Also, the data indicated that the westbound volumes were higher than the eastbound volumes and therefore, the conversion of Bramhall Ave into a one-way street in the westbound direction is favorable.
Based on the outcome of the study, the traffic and transportation team presented 3 options:
1. Keep Bramhall Ave two-way and eliminate one-side of on-street parking
2. Convert Bramhall Ave to one-way in the westbound direction and keep on-street parking on both sides
3. Keep Bramhall Ave as is
The first two options would address the following issues that the community shared:
1. Eliminate turning movement conflicts at the intersection of Pacific Ave and Bramhall Ave
2. Eastbound cut-through traffic from drivers turning onto Woodward St and Bramhall Ave to avoid the signal at Communipaw Ave and Pacific Ave
3. Several occurrences of parked vehicle sideswipes due to the narrow width along Bramhall Ave
A survey was distributed to the community to solicit their feedback on the options. Flyers listing the link and a QR code to the survey was also distributed to residents in the area. Of the survey responses, 85% strongly opposed eliminating parking while 85% strongly supported converting Bramhall Avenue to one-way traffic to address safety concerns. 31% respondents indicated some support for leaving the street as is. 69% indicated that Bramhall one-way traffic should be westbound only (towards Berry Lane Park). This aligns with open-ended responses about drivers using Bramhall as cut-through street to avoid the signals on Communipaw Avenue. The recommendation from the Department was to convert Bramhall Avenue between Pacific Avenue and Van Horne Street to one-way westbound traffic with no impact to parking.
An ordinance recommending the one-way conversion was introduced by City Council. The ordinance also recommends converting the intersection of Bramhall Ave and Woodward St into an all-way stop intersection, which is located at an entrance to Berry Lane Park.
A community meeting has been scheduled by the Ward A and Ward F Councilpersons' offices on Thursday, January 4, 2024 @ 6pm at 373 Communipaw Avenue to discuss the recommendation.
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
Literally what is wrong with you?
No one is asking about Bramhall. Zero people here. Are you mad?
This is about PACIFIC AVENUE and the extensive damage and injuries caused by speeding and reckless drivers.
Why can NO ONE read?
Thinkoutloud (Registered User)
JFB (Registered User)
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
This whole years-long discussion is so depressing.
Should we go into traffic to disrupt the speeders on Pacific? Can we put up fake signs like in the Roadrunner cartoons so drivers think they're going in a tunnel or off a cliff?
What can we possibly do to get these people to read? What an incredible waste of city resources if they actually did a traffic survey of a street that no one has asked about.
Traffic - Mike (Verified Official)
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
Engineering - Althea (Verified Official)
If it is not at all about the intersection of Pacific & Bramhall, which was specified in the original request, then tell us the length of the problem, as in Pacific from cross street ? to cross street?
Both stop signs and traffic lights are purely for directing traffic and are not for traffic calming.
I already know there is a section of Pacific being worked on by Mike, who you seriously should not be disappointed in. Mike is incredibly dedicated. I just want to make sure we are including the stretch that you all want and not missing any piece of it.
Please don't get me wrong, be angry and demand want you need, I just want you to know Mike is solving the issues and he is posting important info as it relates to that intersection, even though our options are limited and this requires enforcement most of all. Make sure you are going to your Captain's meetings and talking with your council person. No amount of traffic calming measures will ever be the complete solution if someone wants to break the law. Tickets, fines, and points on their license will.
We are a part of the team and we work for you. We are still working on this.
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
Ok. I'll try again. Again.
The problem, as discussed in a recent meeting held by Councilmembers Ridley and Gilmore -- and which someone from your office should have attended because you would finally been able to hear the years of frustration and stress -- is not about redirecting traffic on Bramhall west or eliminating parking on Bramhall in one direction, or eliminating parking on Bramhall in both directions, or anything ON Bramhall. Only one person there was interested in Bramhall.
Every. Single. Other. Person wanted to make speeding and reckless driving stop on Pacific south of Communipaw. Cars speed, race up and down day and night, lose control and hit cars, people, animals because they have fun driving at high speeds between Communipaw and Caven Point and they only stop there because of a T-intersection, not because of the stop sign.
Write tickets for speeding and dangerous driving on Pacific and the city wouldn't need to raise taxes.
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
IKX (Registered User)
IKX (Registered User)
IKX (Registered User)
Engineering - Althea (Verified Official)
There are actually plenty of places in Jersey City with the same exact complaint, even in downtown. This is a problem the entire city faces. In journal square the City is split by Kennedy blvd and packed with very angry drivers that race up Newark avenue in the opposite directional lane!
So we get it and we all know this is important. This is why the information that can have a positive impact on calming the intersection was posted and the issue was not closed after that. Most of the complaints from those who have had stop signs put up is that cars just blow through them. You can do a search of SCF yourself and see.
Clearly these are enforcement issues and traffic calming can only do so much. We will keep trying, but implementation methods are slow and must be done wisely. In the meantime, enforcement can happen immediately. You have two wonderful council people and hopefully they are also pushing for enforcement.
Captain's meetings are also a great place for the community to push for enforcement.
Engineering - Althea (Verified Official)
RRC - Samantha (Verified Official)
Engineering - Althea (Verified Official)
Engineering - Althea (Verified Official)
Engineering - Althea (Verified Official)
Engineering - Althea (Verified Official)
Engineering - Althea (Verified Official)
Engineering - Althea (Verified Official)
Engineering - Althea (Verified Official)
Engineering - Althea (Verified Official)
Engineering - Althea (Verified Official)
First let me apologize for not having gotten back to you. I know silence in the past means your issues have fallen off the radar or fallen on deaf ears. Councilman Gilmore’s office just reached out reminding us of this very important stretch of road.
There are 6 “duplicates” so 7 requests in total. While most of these are about Bramhall and Pacific, I changed this to represent Pacific Ave from Caven Point Ave to Communipaw Ave. We hear you, while you are asking for something to help Bramhall and Pacific, you know that is about more than that, especially what leads up to that intersection.
My only job is to take all of the comments, especially those buried in the duplicates, and summarize them so that you, the community can comment and make more suggestions, as well as make sure I have it right. In this way, I can present the engineers and planners with community led solutions and we can go from there.
So please bear with me, I will publish the summary shortly.
BH (Registered User)
Engineering - Althea (Verified Official)
Here is the one for Bramhall & Woodward: https://seeclickfix.com/issues/13392298
Here is the one for Bramhall Ave [Pacific to Woodward]: https://seeclickfix.com/issues/10239754
One way was mentioned on this request, but it made it look like the one-way was our only goal and given how it is felt that safety comes before convenience, it felt like we were missing the point to many. Mike, one of engineers, worked really hard on what the one way would look like and laid it all our in that request. Basically he saw it as an additional safety measure for the intersection of Bramhall and pacific, because it is one less direction of traffic that means a safer crossing for pedestrians and drivers.
If you have any other intersections or road way segments, definitely make a new request! Right now, as we get organized, we are so overwhelmed, but this is the way we set it up so going forward, no requests are lost in the mix.
Engineering - Althea (Verified Official)
Pacific Ave [Caven Point Ave to Communipaw Ave]
Date created 08/10/2021 with 6 duplicates
Includes the following intersections:
Pacific @ Caven Point Ave
Pacific @ Carteret Ave (Does not exist as of now)
Pacific @ Forrest St
Pacific @ Distillery Dr (Light Rail tracks)
Pacific @ Bramhall Ave
Pacific @ Communipaw Ave
Notes:
*Along a major bus route
*3 blocks from Berry Lane Park
*Major thoroughfare
*3 Blocks to PS 22
*Not traffic signals or stops between the Stop sign at Caven Point Ave and the Traffic signal at Communipaw Ave, with the exception of the rail road signal at Distillery Drive.
*Truck route
Issues:
1) Speeding through this entire segment of Pacific Ave
2) Dangerous for pedestrians crossing the street
3) Dangerous for drivers
4) Lack of enforcement of existing traffic laws
5) Drivers fail to stop for pedestrians crossing the street
6) Motorcycles speed down the street in addition to other vehicles
7) Drag racing
8) Impatient drivers illegally driving into the oncoming traffic lane to get around slower vehicles
9) Vehicles heading south on pacific - As soon as cars cross Communipaw Ave, they accelerate rapidly all the way to Caven Point.
10) Nothing to stop drivers from driving more than twice the speed limit for the fun of it.
11) Drag race style speeding day and night takes place between Distillery St and Communipaw – great quote - “it’s one of the longest, uninterrupted straightaways in Jersey City, without a stop light, stop sign, visible crosswalk or intersection”.
12) There doesn’t visibly appear to be an intersection at all at Pacific and Bramhall which encourages the speeding
13) The incline/decline at the light rail crossing at Distillery Street also encourages speeding to either beat the train southbound or gun downhill northbound.
14) There is zero visibility when making a turn from Bramhall onto Pacific (either direction) or from Pacific (onto Bramhall) as cars are parked right up to the corners. Drivers are forced to pull into the intersection slowly and risk being hit by speeding cars
Requests:
1) All-Way stop at Bramhall Ave
2) Speed humps (previously requested, but unable to install)
3) Traffic signal at Pacific Ave and Bramhall Ave
4) Traffic study
5) Curb extensions
6) Have the police division ticket offenders [Enforcement]
7) Highlight the intersection of Bramhall & Pacific
8) Clear visibility at intersections for pedestrians and drivers
9) Delineators helping to clear corners
10) Setting up speed traps [Enforcement]
11) Sidewalks, especially wide ones, from Caven point to the train tracks
Questions:
1) Someone wrote – “People in this neighborhood have to cross this street to work and live our lives.” You need to cross the street to work and live. Where are people going and coming to? Just give your thoughts. This helps to tell the bigger story.
2) “Can we put up fake signs like in the Roadrunner cartoons so drivers think they're going in a tunnel or off a cliff?” – Are you trying to tempt me???!!!
3) Can we be nicer to Mike? He is definitely one of my favorites. He actually cares and not about cars! And he lives in your neighborhood. He did not know about the community meeting and was not invited, but this was probably only because the council people felt this would be the first of several and could properly voice the community's needs and requests.
4) Is the single crosswalk still faint and the blinking signs blocked from view?
5) What about other intersections along this stretch? Any thoughts?
6) Is someone asking for another crosswalk at Bramhall and Pacific? I believe at the time of the request there were only 3 crosswalks. Is this still the case?
I'm hungry - I need food. Anyone willing to take me in? II am pretty sure my kids have changed the locks and will claim not to know me.
Everyone following this issue! I know this is a lot, but definitely add, suggest, rant, vent, so I can tighten up the summary and will repost it after everyone weighs in and I have made changes.
Engineering - Althea (Verified Official)
Did I scare you all or did you fall asleep trying to get through my very long post?
My biggest questions would be whether you want to see anything additional done to other intersections along this corridor? We definitely understand that it is the corridor itself. I am just double checking the needs of all intersections, with Bramhall being the priority.
BH (Registered User)
I can't speak for everyone but personally due to work and other commitments I haven't had time to look and respond until now.
I've spoken with Gladys of Ward A and she put in a word for me (from January 2024) regarding getting a stop sign on Halladay at Bramhall because this is also a tight intersection.
That's my additional two cents for now. The area has many other issues such as rats and loud noise from cars at the baseball field that I'm also trying to figure out how to deal with. I will circle back on this when I have additional time.
BH (Registered User)
Also, regarding the first question of people have to live their lives...
For me, there's a bus stop at Bramhall and Pacific. That's one reason we need a stop sign.
Also, Bramhall Avenue at Woodward is an entrance to the park and many people may walk by Bramhall and Pacific in order to get to the park and/or Garfield light rail.
BH (Registered User)
Engineering - Althea (Verified Official)
Take all the time you need. I was just worried that I had scared people into silence because I am little weird and very passionate. The last thing I would ever wish is to silence people. That means they have given up. Thank you for your answer!
Ok, so some might use the Liberty Park station and others Garfield.
BH (Registered User)
I'm a little weird and very passionate also LOL so You're my kind of person. And you are helping us!!!! But I understand what ya mean.
Yep, so to summarize my random thoughts
(1) Living life - getting to transportation (bus on Pacific at Bramhall) and or light rail at Garfield and Berry Lane Park
(2) I think a stop sign on Halladay (heading south at Bramhall) would help
(3) I think a stop sign on Woodward (heading south at Bramhall) would tremendously help
Thank you again !
IKX (Registered User)
Thank you for following up. I had interpreted your January post to mean we should instead take this up with our councilwoman in the form of enforcement, which I did. No additional enforcement has been added, but glad to see she followed back up with you and that this platform genuinely works to address our concerns.
I also can’t speak for everyone but here are my answers to your questions.
1) We are crossing the street with our kids all the time to get to our car. Like all the residents on this road, we park up and down Pacific, on either side. We are also walking to Berry Lane Park. And, there are notably more baby strollers and dogs in the neighborhood that cannot move nearly as quickly as we do with our kids, which is a concern.
2) No fake signs necessary - but real signs welcome! A children at play sign? A digital Your Speed versus Speed limit sign? An intersection ahead sign? More modern brighter push-button blinking crosswalk signs like we see Hilltop/Heights? Anything would help!
3) I’m not sure what this refers to but I’m sure nobody wants anyone’s feelings hurt! People are understandably frustrated and worried after voicing their concerns for so long. Any work in turning Bramhall into a one-way is greatly appreciated!
4) Yes, I still feel like Bramhall @ Pacific doesn’t look like a proper intersection as you approach it from the south. Four painted crosswalks on all four sides and a stoplight/signs/road paint/blinking lights would help. There are currently only three faint crosswalks, and only one across Pacific itself.
5) On this stretch it would be dreamy if you could connect northbound I-78 exit 14c (Liberty State Park exit) directly to Burma Road to Phillip Street so commuters wouldn’t have to round the horn to Bayview to Garfield to Caven Pt Ave and therefore speed up Pacific Ave to get downtown.
6) Yes, a fourth crosswalk at Bramhall and Pacific would make it appear as a complete intersection to slow down for. Currently there are only three. More crosswalks have certainly helped Hoboken reach zero fatalities since more have been added. I’m most concerned about the Bramhall/Pacific intersection, but the more we have along this corridor from Caven Pt. Road to Communipaw the better.
Finally, thank you for referencing an email address to report the drag racing, and we certainly do have video of dangerous driving. In our case we aren’t looking for retribution from the drivers, we are looking for safety for our kids and prevention methods so it doesn’t happen in the first place.
Thank you again for following up! I appreciate the lightheartedness, but we’ve just seen too many children lose their lives in this city needlessly due to preventable traffic accidents. I know you have your work cut out for you. Let us know what else you might need.
Engineering - Althea (Verified Official)
You have two Council Offices hawking this issue, Ward A and F.
Yay, about enforcement. It is a tough issue as the City works hard to onboard new officers. The more people that show up at the monthly Captain's meetings impressing on them to really focus on this stretch of Pacific, the better. Be loud. With enforcement spread thin, but officers sincerely caring, you can get the focus in the right area and you add force behind your council people so that when they reach out, the Captain already knw they speak for all of you.
Engineering - Althea (Verified Official)
IKX (Registered User)