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.