...and at the same intersection we need a delayed green light to allow left hand turns coming south from olcott square onto rt 202 northbound

I think that's what I said Stephen?

This is where I feel DOT needs to add directional turn arrows for better flow to relieve backup! Council needs to bug DOT to make good on their promise to us they made before the street scape project. They told us that was when they would outfit the light with directional arrows.

Yes, directional arrow is the way to go. And while they're at it, DOT should consider 5 way stop signs at the 5 corners on Claremont.

Well the new left turn lights are in... and its a disaster. Traffic is now backed up worse in every direction. And cars are speeding through residential neighborhoods trying to avoid the light, putting our children at risk.

Mike- what do you feel would fix it? I am so sorry the new arrow is not helping. I have not been through since they did the new arrows but it sounds like they are not set up right. @ Chrisings- Yes, growing up we did have a circle and a policeman would stand at the top of 202 against the Palmer Bldg directing- It did seem to flow better but was that because there were less cars going through? I think a big problem in all areas of Bernardsville and Basking Ridge is that the children who used to be bussed are no longer and where I live the majority of cars on the roads between 7:30 and 9 and 2:30 and 4 are one parent with one child heading to or from school. The town governments and the Boards of Ed need to rethink this and work together. Perhaps going back to bussing would help? But having said that I realize that there are many families who can't afford the high bussing fees which is why they are dropping off and picking up. That needs to be investigated too.

this is why we have local government ... anyone trying to drive in Bernardsville this holiday season knows what a disaster the new lights/arrows/long pauses have been ... the waits have become so insane with traffic backed up for a mile that people are losing it and its become that much more dangerous ... 3 and 4 cars flying thru the lights well after it has gone red ... there is going to be a tragic accident

Wow! How horrible that this condition is so bad - @ Bill- I had no idea it has even gotten worse than the earlier comment dates- Everyone must go to the council and tell them to get DOT out there- it is a matter of adjustment on the box that controls the light I would think and I don't think it is complicated. In fact the box they have may have a setting for timing that would relieve some of the congestion. Mark my words though no one on the council will pressure the DOT unless the citizens complain. Don't get it on the agenda- faster to be heard if you surprise them. In the beginning of the meeting they ask if there are non agenda items- this is where you could raise your hand and speak about this. Bring a gaggle of others who are like minded and the council will go to bat. Lets see how the beloved Joe Rossi and his posse do with this. Do they just talk or do they walk...

The problem is not the timing of the lights but rather the disregard of the lights by drivers. Without exaggeration I see someone running a red light every day! And Helen, Joe Rossi? Really? If there's nothing in it for him we all know it won't get done.

There is that (light runners) - but I believe the cycle duration (which is much longer than it was) makes people crazy - we all sit there for many many seconds with nothing happening on every cycle now, long lines in all direction and all 4 lines looking at red lights ... not making excuses for them by any means but it adds to the frustration and they lose it ... the technology is available to make an easy fix ... go back to the previous timing AND install a camera to nail those who choose to run the light and endanger others ... this is a simple thing that will improve the day of many by just a little ...

Ha! Chris- hope you noticed the irony of Rossi and his posse! We have to hold their feet to the fire!

The issue is efficiency. How do the most cars get through the intersection safely? And the problem is the left turn signals. They prevent more cars from getting through. Turning left onto 202 south for example, only two cars can fit in the left turn lane and get through. Before these new signals two cars could get through anyway so all it does is make it take longer for cars traveling east. I think the left turn signals need to go.

Mike, I couldn't disagree more. As someone that frequently makes all three available left turns at that intersection I think the left turn signals need to be longer. There also needs to be enforcement of people running the red lights. As it stands the center of Bernardsville is a traffic free for all.

Well Chris and Mike - you two should have been driving in Bernardsville when the center of town had a circle! That really required that people have discretion and patience and kindness- this seems to be some of the problem- there are so many more people here trying to get through town that they have all lost their manners and good humor and I can't blame them. Suffice to say that we definitely needed the left turn signals and yes they should be timed differently is all. As for those that run the lights- they would not do it if the intervals were correct but if they do then there should be heavy ticketing via camera just like NYC. It would be a great source of revenue and perhaps deter people most importantly.

Helen, I remember the circle well. In fact sometimes I think we were better off back then. I agree that a big part of the problem is discretion, patience and kindness or a lack there of.

I don't think you can make the left turn signals longer without making the left turn lanes longer. But I don't think they can make the lanes any longer because the roads narrow. They'd have to take away parking, make sidewalks narrower and replace the bridge with a wider one.

I remember the circle too, although I wasn't old enough to drive at the time. But clearly that was a simpler time with way less traffic. No way it could handle the volume.