News and Updates

2024 saw several meaningful changes brought on by the Vision Zero Task Force, from traffic-calming measures like stop-signs and speed limit reductions, to building new policies and processes to enhance our work going forward.

Click here to read a full summary of accomplishments from 2024, and our plans and goals for 2025. 

The Township aims to make Montclair's streets safer with a Vision Zero Initiative to eliminate all pedestrian fatalities and severe injuries. As part of this initiative, speed limits in Montclair have been adjusted to 25 miles per hour (mph) on all Township roads and 20 mph in school zones. The Township is also working with Essex County to reduce all county roads to 25 mph. Changing the speed limit is one part of a broader, Safe Systems Approach which includes modifying street infrastructure, educating roadway users and enforcing traffic laws and regulations. 

New 20 mph school zones in Montclair:

• Link to school zone map(PDF, 1MB)
• Pedestrian Generators and School Zones map(PDF, 2MB)

Look out and slow down for Montclair's new 20 mph school zones. Establishing clearer school zones and reducing speeds has been a major priority. Montclair Township is committed to making our streets safer for all residents. That starts with our kids. 

This September, 50 new school zone signs have been installed. More signs have been ordered and will be added to school network throughout the year along with painted road markings. 

New 25 mph speed limit signs have been installed along Valley Road from Normal Avenue to Bloomfield Avenue. The 25 mph speed limit will be effective immediately with the exception of school zones which are listed as 20 mph. 

What about the speed limit on other county roads? Vision Zero Montclair is currently working with Essex County to reduce county roads to 25 mph speed limits. Changing speed limits on country roads involves additional engineering/police studies and passing multiple speed limit ordinances on both a local and county level. 

To date this is the status on the following county roads: 

• Upper Mountain Ave is now 25 mph. 
• Valley Road is now 25 mph. 
• Grove Street is still under consideration and review by the county. 

Learn about Vision Zero and the work we are doing: 

• July 2024: Introduction to Vision Zero(PDF, 940KB)
• October: Speed Matters(PDF, 2MB)

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New painted curb extensions have been added to two Park Street intersections:

• Park Street and Lorraine Avenue
• Park Street and Alexander Avenue

Learn more about each intersection in the following case studies available here(PDF, 2MB)

Tell us what you think in the surveys below! 

• Lorraine Avenue and Park Street survey
• Alexander Avenue and Park Street survey

While the Department of Community Services [DCS] warps up their 2024 repaving and milling projects(PDF, 134KB)  for the remainder of the year, the Vision Zero Task Force has been working with DCS to suggest curb extensions where budgets allow. These PILOT projects are just a start. We will determine the efficiency and potential to implement similar treatments town-wide prioritizing our most dangerous intersections and vulnerable communities. 

Look out for added delineators at Flashing Beacon Pedestrian Signs. Not only is passing a car stopped at the crosswalk against the law and finable of $200, it's a deadly prospect for any pedestrian. As an added protection, Vision Zero in combination with DCS and the Township planners have prioritized the Flashing Beacon Pedestrian crossing signs throughout Montclair. Adding reflective bollards on both sides of the crosswalks will deter drivers from passing vehicles stopped for pedestrians. It's another simple solution to make our streets safer. 

Here is an example of a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) Signs in Montclair: 

Map of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) Signs in Montclair.(PDF, 922KB)