Scotland Road, Raymond Ave. to Get New Traffic Signal

The South Orange Board of Trustees passed a resolution, Wednesday, for a new traffic signal at the behest of residents of the West Montrose Neighborhood Association.

The ordinance endorses and authorizes the installation and operation of a traffic control signal by Essex County at the intersection of Scotland Road and Raymond Ave. in South Orange.

“This has been a problem for a long time, we organized this effort over two years ago” said Janine Bauer of the West Montrose Neighborhood Association.

They need the pedestrian traffic signal for students crossing the street to go to Marshall School and the temple, she added.

More than a dozen residents attended the Board of Trustees meeting, Wednesday, to take the podium during the public hearing. A majority spoke in favor of the light but a few were in opposition citing the close proximity of the light to their home.

“I'm not in agreement that a traffic light will solve any problems,” said resident Butch Robinson. “My concerns are cars idling in front of my house and the homes of my neighbors, additional trash, noise and the appearance and feel of a downtown in a residential area.”

The Board of Trustees unanimously passed the resolution citing pedestrian safety, the difficulty of crossing that intersection, speeding problems, unsafe driving and quality of life issues.

The next steps will be to contact the county and let them know they have passed the ordinance.

“It's about time,” said Bauer.