Does it need more work?! I would say so. Every night the River Road intersection is backed up at least 6 cars deep. The concrete barrier makes the intersection awkward, leaving too little room for cars to pass each other. Essentially, it's been turned into a one-car-at-a-time debacle, with SUVs regularly running over the concrete barrier to get through.
Posted by
D Ambriano
on
January 24, 2007 9:30 AM
It definitely needs improvement! I do not understand why they put that concrete barrier there in the first place. Wouldn't you think that when we have a heavy snow it would cause more problems with plows and lack of visability?
A traffic light may have been much better!
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 24, 2007 11:11 AM
Everyone has been ASKING the county for an answer to this traffic hazard....Nobody from the county is taking responsibility for this obvious error. What do the people of Montville need to do to get it corrected?
A traffic light would have better suited the issues at this intersection instead of the concreate mess the county left.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 24, 2007 1:26 PM
You'd have to admit that the traffic has lessened as people have gotten used to the new intersection. At first I thought it was horrible but now it's not so bad. I don't know if there have been any accidents since the change. I guess that'll be the real test.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 24, 2007 6:45 PM
The county could of saved money at that intersection if they painted better lines defining the intersection, for example broken center and shoulder lines showing how 202 goes through the intersection, which is how it is done in other states that have confusing intersections, plus dual stop signs and stop ahead signs on River Road would of helped also. This is a cheaper solution to what was done.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 24, 2007 9:20 PM
It is a very awkward and unsightly intersection. Turns from 202 (Main Rd) onto River Road are very tight. Traffic backs up on River Road as drivers attempt to maneuver the tricky Main Road turn (North or South). Water does not drain properly and collects on River Road next to the new concrete "gutter" causing a hazardous situation (especially when frozen over). This attempt to improve an intersection that had people turning left onto River Rd off of 202 North without slowing or stopping and to prevent River Road traffic from jutting straight out onto 202 South is absolutely lacking in “Road Design 101”!!! It is time to go back to the drawing board.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 24, 2007 9:57 PM
engineers? go figure!
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 26, 2007 10:56 AM
I have been going through the river rd/202 intersection for 16 years. I find that it is a little better, but still very dangerous. No one seems to know who has the right of way most times. I am surprised that no one has ever been severely hurt or killed at this intersection. The county should rethink a better solution.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 29, 2007 4:02 PM
Try going through the area when a school bus or construction vehicle is trying to navigate the hairpin turn. I was once at the stop sign and had to drive onto the concrete pad area to avoid having the front of my car ripped off. This is surely an accident waiting to happen, especially if we ever get a good snow.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 30, 2007 11:49 AM
I spoke to Steve Hammond of Morris County Engineering Dept. and explained the experience I had. I explained to him the close call I had on Rte. 202. As I was attempting to follow the curve on Rte 202 (North to South) a tractor trailer coming from the opposite direction (South to North) was also negotiating the curve on Rte 202 and River Road at the same time. The tail end of the trailer crossed over onto the oncoming traffic leaving me no place to go. At that point in the road there is no shoulder just a guardrail. I was left with two choices, smash into the guardrail or have the truck take off my front fender. I believe the width of the road is to narrow for a tractor trailer and a car to pass at the same time. Steve Hammond told me this is the first time he had heard of this situation and would look into it.
I have spoken to many others in town, who also agree with me, that the curve is a dangerous spot.
Posted by
Len Cutugno
on
February 7, 2007 3:54 PM
This change took a bad intersection and made it worse. It will be absolutely terrible in the summer with activities at the ball fields on River Rd. resume, and worse again when the new restaurant opens. The only solution now is to put in yet another traffic light.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
February 7, 2007 6:12 PM
I personally think someone made a mistake when they measured where to pour the concrete. The partition comes out too far. If you are travelling on River Road and need to make a left onto Main Road...Good Luck! I would have loved to see a traffic light there personally or at least a blinking light. It's a dangerous intersention and I don't think what they've done is an improvement. Thank you for the opportunity to express my opinion.
Posted by
Felicia Rose
on
February 7, 2007 9:12 PM
Terrible Design! Change it now before someone gets hurt
Posted by
Anonymous
on
February 8, 2007 8:56 AM
People have definitely slowed down because of the "engineering wonder", but the biggest issue at that corner has been visability and unfortunately it still is!! The original plan called for the "Inn at Montville" to be built much further back on the property to allow more visability. Gee, that extra "couple of feet" did wonders, NOT!!! It is STILL very dangerous to those turning right onto River Rd when heading west, you cannot see if a vehicle is coming out of one of the properties across from the Inn and the sound of screeching brakes has not lessened at all.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
February 10, 2007 7:22 AM
Very true. The reason the intersection was subject to the great amount of "roll through" was because the original structure blocked the sightline necessary to safely negotiate the intersection. So the solution seemed to be...to build the new building to block even more of the sightline and incorporate an unwieldy cement median to make the intersection even more impossible...?
dambriano
Posted by
Anonymous
on
February 15, 2007 2:42 PM
I see no traffic delays as I drive through this intersection each day. Have there been any accidents, as were predicted? Is this a case of teaching a bunch of "old dogs" a new trick?
Posted by
Anonymous
on
February 22, 2007 7:55 PM
People will continue to complain about anything in this town. Is this intersection really that bothersome? Honestly. Let's talk about more important issues like improving our schools and our children's education.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
March 20, 2007 11:16 AM
The concrete barrier should be removed to widen the road. As it is now, there is very little room to navigate the turns.
Just put up a very LARGE STOP SIGN and PAINT WHITE STRIPES and the word STOP on the roadway. This cannot be missed by anyone. All drivers must be responsible here!
The concrete barrier was not necessary!
Posted by
Anonymous
on
March 21, 2007 1:49 PM
Just an FYI - The County will be discussing possible changes to this intersection after the RT 202 traffic study presentation this Tuesday at 8 PM at town hall.
Can anyone tell me what happened as a result of the discussion that happened after the results of the traffic study were presented? I had to leave and missed it.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
March 29, 2007 1:46 PM
They are going to make some improvements at their expense. Best way to understand is to get a copy of the sketch they handed out from Tony Barile, township engr.
He could mail it to you if you wish. Just call town hall (973-331-3300) and select engineering dept from the menu.
Now that the "New" Montville Inn is soon to be completed, are they going to make suitable changes to the intersection?
Posted by
Anonymous
on
May 3, 2007 2:40 PM
That intersection is very awkward and I will take Art's suggestion and look at the drawing for the proposed revision. It almost looks as though they intended to knock down Van Ripers and the two buildings that are right on the road and have River Road continue straight on the one side of the concrete barrier. Obviously, that wasn't the intent, nor would it work, but it certainly doesn't work now.
With The New Montville Inn almost done, and looking great, I'm concerned how that barrier is going to impact traffic coming in and out of the restaurant parking lot.
Without question, it neds to be torn up and revised. Bad move on the county's part. But didn't the town have some say on this???
Posted by
Anonymous
on
May 18, 2007 10:07 PM
I have lived in Montville for 23 years, and this intersection has always been dangerous. I think it's Great that people have to stop and look before they take off! I too drive through that intersection, at least 4-6 times a day....I not only drive my car through that intersection, but a Dial-a-ride vehicle, and a bus also! What people do have to learn is that no matter what is done to that corner,(Stop signs,Lights,Cement Barriers, Big Words on the road etc.) you MUST slow down and have alittle courtesy for other drivers. Before this last change people zoomed through that intersection! Now with the change, they're forced to slow down and look before they zoom. Caution is needed Yes, But Courtesy is a Must!
Posted by
Anonymous
on
June 29, 2007 2:44 PM
The intersection absolutely requires additional work for safety. the present manuevering at main Rd. north or south is dangerous creating a traffic backup both ways. Sight is also an issue. Needs to be adressed asap, especially with the Inn now open.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
July 26, 2007 8:28 PM
VERY DANGEROUS, ONLY SOLUTION IS A TRAFFIC LIGHT.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
October 17, 2007 10:49 PM
Because there are good sight lines and many drivers are courteous enough to signal their turn intentions I don't think a stop light is necessary.
Posted by
Larry D'Oench
on
October 30, 2007 10:53 AM
I've lived here 30 years, can't believe it, and the amount of cars on the roads here now is crazy. Yes, it is an accident waiting to happen if we don't have more traffic lights in town. Just try pulling out of Montville Chase in the am. I'm waitng for someone to smash my car when I pull out there and then I will collect!
Posted by
Anonymous
on
November 3, 2007 1:46 PM
Of all of the intersections in the County of Morris this intersection has got to be number one of the list. All of the adjusting in the world will not be enough to fix this road. Install a traffic light.
Montville Inn looks beautiful, They should tear down ugly small homes across the street and widen road and add a traffic light. We now have to avoid hitting cement triangle and also look out for cars coming out of Inns drivewy on 202. It's just a matter of time before incident happens. Does anyone remember all the accidents after strip mall was built at Changebridge & Stiles Lane in PB? Only after fatality was road closed off. Longview resident
Posted by
PJ
on
January 23, 2008 3:47 PM
It is certainly better than it was before. It used to be a free for all. No one stopped coming out of River Rd or turning left onto River Rd.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 23, 2008 9:11 PM
It is the most awkward intersection that I have ever seen!
