Politics & Government

Maplewood Adds Traffic Circle to "Wagon Wheel" Intersection

Township hopes circle will calm traffic near intersection of Plymouth Avenue and Ivy Terrace

 

Maplewood has a new traffic circle, and residents seem to be of mixed minds about it.

The circle is located where four streets -- Plymouth Avenue, Burnett Terrace, Ivy Terrace and Oakland Road -- intersect near Maplecrest Park. The intersection has been the subject of many complaints from residents about accidents and near-misses over the years, according to Township Engineer Thomas Malavasi.

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The township dug the circle earlier this month and surrounded it with Belgian block paving. The Department of Public Works (DPW) will add top soil and grass to the area.

Within the next several days, the DPW also will add four directional signs plus a rotary sign in and around the circle (see the plans attached to this article as both a PDF and a photo) to direct drivers.

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"Traffic circles work well in other spots," said Malavasi.

“I think it’s a good idea but I think it is too narrow at some points,” said Mitch Greenberg, a nearby resident who was walking his dog. 

Malavasi said that all of the roads along the circle are a minimum of 18 feet wide, which is large enough for commercial vehicles and snowplows to get through.

Other residents had cited concerns over drainage problems where Plymouth Avenue and Ivy Terrace meet. Malavasi said the township will look into fixing the issues when those roads are repaved at some point in the future, as part of the township's regular road repair schedule.

What do you think about the traffic circle? Tell us in comments.


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