Amherst Avenue in Longport between 36th Avenue and the Margate border at Coolidge Avenue.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
LONGPORT After several meetings with residents who live in the area adjacent to Margate's marina district, the Board of Commissioners Wednesday, May 19 agreed to several traffic calming measures to allay fears about increased traffic coming into the borough from Margate.
There was a lot of good input from residents, borough engineer Ed Dennis Jr. said. I think we have a good plan moving forward.
According to Dennis, the borough will make several changes to the traffic pattern on a section of Amherst Avenue to reduce the impact of Margate changing Amherst Avenue from a two-way configuration to one-way traveling toward Longport.
After raising its bayfront bulkhead several feet, the City of Margate is currently working to complete an elevated promenade, which includes angled parking along the walkway. The city completed a traffic study which showed that most of the traffic along Amherst Avenue travels toward Longport. The city was seeking to make changes that not only facilitated access to businesses in the Marina District, but also makes it safer for the many bicyclists who ride along the avenue, which had no dedicated bike lane.
Dennis said he believes striping of the avenue in Margate would be completed by next week, when all traffic will be traveling toward Longport.
The striping will be done on Monday so by Tuesday Amherst Avenue will be functional as a one-way street, he said.
In his report to the Longport commissioners, Dennis said two meetings were held with the police, administration and residents, who made suggestions that will lessen the impact in their neighborhood.
Dennis said that in response to Longport's concerns, Margate agreed to install a three-way stop sign at the intersection of Amherst and Coolidge avenues, and install way finding signage to direct motorists to Ventnor Avenue to access the Longport Bridge and Downbeach Express.
In Longport, the commissioners introduced an ordinance turning the yield sign on Amherst Avenue at 33rd Avenue into a stop sign.
That should slow traffic and improve safety at the curve, Dennis said.
A cattle shoot will be painted on the roadway on Amherst Avenue between Coolidge and 36th Avenue, which will funnel traffic coming from Margate into an 11-foot wide lane, and include flexible bollards.
The commission introduced an ordinance making that block of Amherst Avenue a one-way avenue traveling south.
That will slow traffic and inform motorists that they are leaving the business district and entering a residential district, Dennis said.
The narrow lane will discourage truck traffic into mostly residential Longport. In addition, a No Trucks Allowed sign will be installed at the borderline.
Dennis said the striping would be done with latex paint, which can easily be removed if there are problems with the new configuration.
It's a cost effective way to do it so that it can be undone if necessary, Dennis said. You can make it a permanent gateway with curbing or landscaped flower beds.
The borough will also install raised temporary speed tables on Amherst between 33rd and 36th avenues that will slow traffic and can be marked to allow pedestrians to cross safely.
The commissioners discussed the possibility of making the changes more permanent down the road after developing a comprehensive traffic calming plan for the area of Amherst into Sunset Avenue. The plan would be developed over the next several months.
Dennis said the borough could apply for its share of a Community Development Block Grant from the Atlantic County Improvement Authority. Approximately $45,000 could be available if the commissioners decide the temporary improvements should become permanent.
A third traffic ordinance was introduced to eliminate handicapped parking spaces in front of two residences because they are no longer needed.
In other business, the commission introduced an ordinance to prohibit the operation of any class of cannabis business in the borough. Although no businesses will be allowed to operate in Longport, the delivery of cannabis products to residents by a delivery service may not be infringed.
The cannabis ordinance will be sent to the Planning Board for review and recommendation before a public hearing and adoption.
Public hearings on the ordinances will be held at 4 p.m.
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