Road Diet for Route 27 in Highland Park, New Jersey
The Borough of Highland Park, New Jersey implemented a road diet on Route 27 (also known as Raritan Avenue). You can learn more about the road diet project in this mycentralnewjersey.com article:
The new striping on Route 27 reduced the number of travel lanes to one in each direction with a center turn lane.
Before the restriping of the roadway, Route 27 was two lanes in each direction, but did not have dedicated left-turn lanes, which led to congestion, difficult left turns, and a greater risk for crashes.
According to the state Department of Transportation, reducing the number of lanes, known as a “road diet,” is a way to calm traffic, improving safety for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
The DOT, working with local officials, proposed a road diet on Route 27 based on data that showed the design would improve safety and operational performance of the highway.
The new center turn-lane frees up traffic to operate more efficiently and helps reduce speeds through the busy downtown with heavy pedestrian traffic.
The Borough posted this information on the new traffic pattern:
https://www.hpboro.com/Home/Components/News/News/2025/17
Borough leaders in Highland Park heard a number of times from residents living or walking in the area of town along Upper Raritan Ave (between Sixth Ave/Woodbridge Ave and Brookhill Ave) about the unsafe conditions along that stretch of the state highway. The Borough contacted the NJ Department of Transportation (NJ DOT) and learned that NJ State traffic statistics showed that the area suffered a higher than usual number of accidents, including two with fatalities in recent years.
The NJ DOT proposed a ‘road diet’ to address the situation, sharing the plan with Borough residents in an online forum, and Mayor Elsie Foster and Borough Administrator Teri Jover urged them to enact it as promptly as possible. On Thursday December 18th, the NJ DOT began restriping Route 27/Raritan Ave from Brookhill Ave. (mile post 18.04) to Sixth Ave/Woodbridge Ave (mile post 17.48). The new traffic lines reduce the number of traffic lanes to one in each direction, with a new center lane designed to accommodate turns into businesses or side streets on either side of the highway.
Prior to the work by the NJ DOT, Route 27 had two lines in each direction, without a dedicated turn lane, which often led to congestion and efforts by drivers to speed past a slower lane.
As the NJ DOT explained in their traffic advisory about the restriping: “A “road diet” is a proven way to calm traffic, improving safety for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. NJDOT, working with local officials, proposed the idea of a road diet on Route 27 based on data that showed this configuration would improve safety and operational performance of the highway. The presence of the new center turn-lane frees up traffic to operate more efficiently and helps reduce speeds through a busy and vibrant business district with heavy pedestrian traffic.”
In response to the road diet, resident and teacher Michael Greenberg wrote this letter to Borough Council. He also posted the letter on several local Facebook groups.
This letter was written to HP Boro Council:
Dear Mayor Foster-Dublin, Harry Glazer, Matt Hale, Matt Hersh, Phil George, Stephany Kim-Chohan, Jason Postelnik and Norma Vargas;
I am writing to formally document the increasingly dangerous conditions created by the recent “road diet” and traffic pattern changes on Rt. 27 / Lincoln Highway / Raritan Ave in Highland Park, NJ. The current configuration is not only confusing for drivers but has already resulted in multiple near‑collisions, aggressive driving behaviors, and hazardous situations for pedestrians and cyclists. Immediate corrective action is necessary to prevent serious injury.
1. Inadequate Signage for the Northbound Right‑Turn‑Only Lane
Heading north on Rt. 27, the right lane designated as a turn‑only lane toward Woodbridge Avenue is not adequately marked. Drivers unfamiliar with the change frequently continue straight, cutting off vehicles in the through‑lane and creating sudden braking and swerving. Additional, highly visible signage is urgently needed. Permanent stanchions or flexible delineator posts would physically prevent drivers from proceeding straight. A non‑standard sign color (yellow warning or red/yield‑style signage) may also help draw attention to the restriction.
2. Widespread Misuse of the Center Turning Lane
The center turning lane is being used as a passing lane by impatient or confused drivers. This is extremely dangerous and has become a daily occurrence. Increased police presence and targeted enforcement of speeding and improper passing are essential until the roadway is redesigned or clarified.
3. Insufficient Warnings and Markings at Lane Merge Points
Where the lanes merge, drivers receive little advance notice. The lack of clear road markings and early signage causes abrupt lane changes, honking, and near‑misses. Additional pavement arrows, merge‑ahead signs, and reflective markers are needed immediately.
4. Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Has Deteriorated
The new pattern has unintentionally pushed vehicles closer to crosswalks and bike lanes. Drivers are frequently confused about lane boundaries and drift into areas meant for non‑motorists. Several residents have reported cars encroaching into crosswalks during red lights or turning across bike lanes without yielding.
5. Traffic Backups and Aggressive Driving During Peak Hours
The reduced lanes have created significant congestion during morning and evening rush hours. This has led to aggressive lane‑jockeying, tailgating, and drivers attempting unsafe shortcuts through residential side streets. These behaviors put families, schoolchildren, and pedestrians at risk.
6. Poor Visibility of New Road Markings, Especially at Night or in Rain
The freshly painted lines are difficult to see in low‑light or wet conditions. Reflective paint, raised pavement markers, or rumble strips would greatly improve visibility and reduce confusion.
7. Lack of Public Communication About the Changes
Many drivers entering Highland Park from Edison or New Brunswick have no prior knowledge of the new pattern. Without advance notice, they make last‑second decisions that endanger everyone around them. Clearer communication—signage before entering town, temporary electronic message boards, or coordination with navigation apps—would help mitigate this.
In summary, the current traffic pattern is creating daily hazardous conditions that require immediate intervention. The intent of the road diet may have been to improve safety, but the implementation has had the opposite effect. I urge the Borough, County, and NJDOT to take swift corrective action before a preventable accident occurs.
I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to hearing what immediate steps will be taken to address these concerns.
Sincerely,Michael J Greenberg
There were strong reactions on Facebook to the new road diet and to Michael’s letter. Here are some of the responses:
The “real” need is for a traffic light at the intersection of N.10th and Raritan! That is a hotspot for terrible accidents, including ones that led to fatalities.
Road diets usually work because they slow down traffic and cause people to search for alternate routes. This is a merely six or so blocks of change and it was poorly done. I’d almost think this was purposefully done to show that road diets don’t work.
What may have sounded good on paper, in reality is worst accidents waiting to happen. It is confusing and not properly marked. There is no left turn area to turn left onto 8th coming from Glatt. And while something like this may work on a wider street (like Oak Tree) where there are 2 lanes in each direction, there are too many instances of people needing to turn left off of 27. And I think that narrow bike lane is another possible accident waiting to happen. I hope not.
I already saw 2 close calls with someone trying to make a left turn from the turning lane and another person using it as a passing lane.
It’s extremely hard to get on and off my block. I’m also going out of my way and using alternate streets and back roads to avoid 27/Raritan. The street markings are confusing, and I’m worried about the potential for accidents.
There is still no traffic light north of 5th avenue to facilitate left turns out of the north side.
Good letter, Michael. I’m not opposed to the changes made but, at least in these early stages, it is a confusing mess. The boro/county/state need to know the issues so they can be addressed.
I don’t think it’s that bad. People definitely don’t need advanced notice for the changes. I drive 18 South everyday to work and every day there’s a new traffic pattern or extra lane closure due to construction. I feel the only thing everyone needs is patience while driving, as well as leaving ahead of time to wherever they need to be instead of constantly being in a rush. I start work at 7 a.m. and I leave my house at 6:20 a.m. to go 6 miles, to leave extra time for any delays. That’s just how it is when you live in NJ, you have to plan ahead.
The turn lane is absolute sh-t. I was making a left as were cars across from me. I couldn’t see any cars passing (going straight) the cars across from me waiting to turn. Accidents waiting to happen.
I love HP, but the mayors and councils (including our current ones) are ruining this town.
Start giving out tickets. And there were more aggressive drivers before the lane was taken away. So that really hasn’t changed.
Excellent letter. If you receive a response it will probably encourage you to think of it as a new mural.
Do people not look at the markings on the road as they drive? How much prior notice do they need?
This is much better for pedestrians than before.
Also, this is not the final phase of the plan, it’s temporary.
I think it’s a good idea and it will help slow down traffic. I am just sorry that it does not extend into Edison.
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