Construction of Morristown traffic roundabout to start on Feb. 1

Rendering of roundabout coming to Spring and Morris Streets in 2022. Image: Town of Morristown
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Construction of the M Station traffic “roundabout” at Morris and Spring streets will start on Feb. 1, 2022, according to a statement Thursday from the town’s p.r. firm.

Roadway closures will occur outside of morning and evening rush hours, with detours only “during the overnight hours,” according to the press release (below).

The M Station project calls for a roundabout at this intersection, Spring and Morris streets, pictured in February 2020. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Town Administrator Jillian Barrick said the work should be completed by Nov. 1, 2022.

An October 2020 agreement between the town council and the M Station redeveloper called for the work to be finished by October 2022, when Big Four accounting firm DeLoitte is scheduled to move its New Jersey headquarters to a six-story office building nearing completion at the former Midtown Shopping Center.

Unlike a conventional traffic circle, in which motorists must wait for breaks in traffic, a roundabout is designed for continuous movement of vehicles.  Here is a video description from an August 2019 presentation to the council:

“The new roundabout will reduce queueing and delays at the Spring Street and Morris Street intersections and provide substantial safety improvements,” Thursday’s statement said.

“However, drivers during all periods should be prepared for the potential of additional delays and seek alternate routes while this transformation takes place,” the town advises.

The Fatty’s fast food restaurant near the intersection was demolished to make way for the improvements. The owner is proposing a new restaurant a few yards away on Morris Street.

Redevelopers pitched the roundabout as a sweetener for the massive project, which includes a partially completed parking deck and plans for a second office building, to stand seven stories.

But citing the pandemic, the redevelopers shifted costs of traffic improvements to the town via a complex bonding arrangement, contended Robert Iannaccone, the sole council member to vote against the financial deal.

This story has been updated with information from Administrator Jillian Barrick.

MORRISTOWN GREEN COVERAGE OF M STATION

Statement from the town:

Road Improvements for Spring and Morris Street start Feb 1

Construction is set to begin on approximately February 1st on the new roadway improvements associated with the M-Station Development at Spring Street and Morris Street. Roadwork associated with the construction of a new traffic signal along Spring Street will start in February followed by the conversion of the Spring Street & Morris Street intersection into a modern roundabout. The new roundabout will reduce queueing and delays at the Spring Street and Morris Street intersections and provide substantial safety improvements. Roadway closures will be outside of the morning and evening rush hour and detours will only occur during the overnight hours.

However, drivers during all periods should be prepared for the potential of additional delays and seek alternate routes while this transformation takes place. Pedestrian detour routes will be fully designated and signed prior to the start of construction and should be adhered to by all pedestrians.

Further messages about specific changes in the traffic patterns will be disseminated in a similar fashion prior to implementation.

 

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29 COMMENTS

  1. This project is an abject failure. Witnessed the aftermath of an accident-one of numerous I would presume. See many vehicles u turn in front of M Station to get on Spring St. Should have been thought out by actual residents/users of the intersection. I have never stopped at so many lights since this was installed. Will anyone admit this is a F up?

  2. I agree with Moira. I’d like to know more about how “the redevelopers shifted costs of traffic improvements to the town via a complex bonding arrangement.” Can Morristown Green look into this? Maybe ask Robert Iannocone for more information?

  3. I’d like to know more about the developer shifting costs it appears initially to have assumed (presumably to obtain approvals for its project) to the town.

  4. “Unlike a conventional traffic circle, in which motorists must wait for breaks in traffic.”
    Huh? They stop in this video.
    Also, 9 MONTHS to build this?

  5. “But citing the pandemic, the redevelopers shifted costs of traffic improvements to the town”

    Of course they did. The first of many promises walked back, I am certain.

  6. I seem to recall Mr. Grayzel was “hit by cars” on Washington St negotiating one of pedestrian crossings 10 feet from a crosswalk.

  7. I am a fan of roundabouts. They increase traffic flow and reduce pollution (because cars do not idle sitting at lights). But I have never seen a roundabout this small that is supposed to handle so much traffic, particularly during morning rush hour. Higher volume roundabouts often require a larger diameter. Let’s hope it works during the morning rush which I believe would be the highest traffic volume during the day.

  8. This will be interesting. Having drove through many in the UK and Ireland, I wonder how drivers here will cope.

  9. This traffic circle better wear a mask when the COVID numbers rise again. I also want to know how can we go about only letting vaccinated motorists use the circle? I feel it would be a worthwhile endeavor by the county and municipality for the greater good.

    Also what can done to insure cars stay 6’ apart to help stop the spread while they navigate the circle?

    I’m sure our brave virtue signaling mayor can work with the traffic engineers on a solution to stop the spread while using the circle.

    In all seriousness though I’m looking forward to this traffic circle; I truly hope it’s a success.

  10. My problem was the transfer of the cost to the Town instead of the developer. It will only be successful if the entire plan is implemented. The 1989 traffic pattern for the Green was never completed and in the end caused more additional problems in circulation. Would love to see one project completed as proposed, instead of the current pattern of cutting costs , where the result causes so much harm.

  11. The Existing Morristown Green was originally constructed for horse and buggies. This is why there are so many accidents and confusion with yielding – because drivers are merging where horse and buggy drivers once rode through Morristown. I hope that the new Green is more vehicle friendly and that people decide to drive through being mindful that Morristown is a pedestrian town. Take care ~ KathyH.

  12. All modern roundabouts have median islands separating incoming and outgoing auto traffic. Pedestrians don’t have to find a gap in two directions of traffic, just one. This is safer for pedestrians, especially for younger or older ones, because they only need to concentrate on one direction of traffic at a time. This is what is meant by a two-phase crossing. Cross the first half, pause if you need to, then cross the second half. With the lower design speed of 15-20 mph, roundabout medians become very safe places to cross. It’s estimated that median refuges for pedestrians reduce crashes by 25% or better.

  13. Rotaries are not roundabouts.

    Modern roundabouts are the safest form of intersection in the world – the intersection type with the lowest risk of fatal or serious injury crashes – (much more so than comparable signals). Modern roundabouts require a change in speed and alter the geometry of one of the most dangerous parts of the system – intersections.

    The reduction in speed to about 20 mph and sideswipe geometry mean that, when a crash does happen at a modern roundabout, you might need a tow truck, but rarely an ambulance. Visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or FHWA for modern roundabout FAQs and safety facts.

    Modern Roundabouts are proven safer than signals (FHWA):
    https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/provencountermeasures/roundabouts/
    https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/innovative/roundabouts/

  14. Traffic Circles are superior to traffic lights – they are more fuel efficient (no idling at lights) and allow for a higher volume of traffic to flow through an intersection. I’m not sure why so many people have problems with circles, though. Just be patient and yield to cars in the circle.

  15. Traffic Circles are superior to traffic lights – they are more fuel efficient (no idling at lights) and allow f

    Matt – That apartment complex is an eyesore.

    Mary – Pedestrians don’t use crosswalks as it is now and I doubt that will change. They need a light like on Speedwall – pedestrians push the button, wait for the sign to flash, cars stop, and they can cross. Unfortunately, the crosswalk lights on speedwell never get used because they just step into the roadway and demand 5,0000 lb cars stop on a dime.

    Joe – Traffic has definitely lightened up in Morristown. My office building is a ghost town some days.

  16. In any case it’s a done deal.
    I went to some of the initial meetings about this project a few years ago. Seemed like the powers that be gave it the green light at that time. So it is what it is. “ The train has left the station , as they say!”
    Property taxes keep going up in Morristown even though there is record breaking development projects going on.
    The reason for that?
    The elected officials who represent the “ people” do not seem to understand or even read the spending budget. And they seem to care even less.
    Also the “ Rubber Stamp” form of governing seems to be in place where there are few questions ,and even less debate about anything.
    So where is this train going? Next stop is your pocketbook. “ If you don’t pay , you can’t stay!”
    The process will continue in Morristown until people wake up.
    That may not be anytime soon.
    A few connected individuals and small groups are doing very well thank. Others are trying to play “ catch up!” Good luck with that.

  17. ‘But citing the pandemic, the redevelopers shifted costs of traffic improvements to the town via a complex bonding arrangement’. Because our taxes aren’t high enough? Not to mention the cost of the traffic study was also shifted to the Town’s residents to pay for.
    They applied DURING the pandemic, didn’t they already have this cost accounted for? I cant wait until the powers at be in Morristown all get rounded up for corruption. But by then, the damage will already have been done

  18. “put the burden on the Morristown taxpayers through bonds to fix the roads so Deloitte can make money.” – huh? can you explain how this roundabout or the bonds helps Deloitte make money?

    Also – you have criticisms like many others but what is your proposed solution instead? Just leave it all the same and nix any development like this?

  19. Jillian Barrick, Morristown’s “Administrator,” must have given the “presentation of a lifetime” to convince all the Morristown council members – except for a fiscally responsible member, Robert Iannaccone – to agree to nine months of disruptive traffic for a roundabout, the same length of time it takes to have a baby.

    Traffic hasn’t lightened, Covid has lessened the volume for now and it’s still bad, but during the nine months construction period, more and more people will be rejoining the commuting work force.

    Do you really think this roundabout will be safe?
    Do you really think this roundabout will be finished in nine months?
    Do you really think local traffic can tolerate this burden?

    Asking for a friend….
    Joe Morrisco
    Bedminster, N.J. 07921

  20. At The Flemington Circle, drivers risk their lives every time they get to it. The signage is confusing and I wouldn’t want my 19 or 23 year old grandsons using it. The Flemington Circle is really good for an adrenaline rush or sense of power that I defeated death once again. Morristown could have found a better solution, plus the “redeveloper” put the burden on the Morristown taxpayers through bonds to fix the roads so Deloitte can make money. How does one spell “crooked”?
    Joe Morrisco
    Bedminster, N.J. 07921

  21. Too many questions that are basic round-about (circle) rules. We folks from NJ are supposed to know these rules. 😉

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