The North Bergen Parking Authority is planning new parking and traffic regulations on the truck-heavy Dell Avenue, from 40th through 49th streets. The area is home to many businesses that use large vehicles, but residents also want to ensure that they are able to park and drive there as well.
The Authority plans to institute business commercial permits for the street.
Recently, the Authority painted additional yellow “no-parking” zones on the avenue’s curbs, allowing trucks a staging area to access loading zones. Signs will go up on the avenue to inform people of the changes.
The town is also looking at zoned permit parking—meaning only people who live in the area—for residential spots in the area, after residents requested it. However, in the future, the town wants to switch to license plate recognition, instead of permits for individual vehicles.
“We have to balance the commercial parking and the residential parking,” said Parking Authority Director Bob Baselice. “We’re also trying to make the area more user friendly to the larger vehicles that go through here.”
He stressed that while the changes are aimed to benefit residents above all, they must coexist with local businesses. Baselice said the plan is still subject to changes as needed.
Currently, some of the streets in the area already have residential permit marking only, including side streets between Dell and Tonnelle avenues. This is a deterrent against non-locals who park near the Tonnelle Avenue Light Rail Station on 48th Street and use the train to access New York City.
_____________
“We have to balance the commercial parking and the residential parking.” – Bob Baselice
____________
Redirecting trucks
The authority wants trucks to use 43rd Street between Dell and Tonnelle for parking, as that section is entirely commercial. Another option is 42nd Street, which has also received the yellow curbs. That street is narrower than others and has multiple loading bays, so the change will better accommodate trucks.
A dead end at 40th Street and Dell Avenue will feature another truck staging area, away from residences. A few new companies in the area have large vehicles, include large buses and tractor trailers. The dead end will allow them better maneuverability as well.
Trucks can also use a special space where Dell and 45th Streets intersect, adjacent to a trucking bay. Though 45th Street is residential, the space allows trucks to pull out to a line on 45th Street, before reversing back onto Dell, to continue southbound. Without the space, the company’s trucks would have a more difficult turn to access the avenue.
New parking in town
To help with parking needs, the town is also working on purchasing vacant lots to convert into parking spaces.
In December, for instance, North Bergen Commissioners adopted an ordinance to purchase property at 600 Liberty Ave. by Secaucus Road for a lot. According to officials, that will provide around 20 to 25 parking spaces.
The town is also looking at another space on Liberty that would bring 100 parking spaces. In total, North Bergen seeks at least 200 additional parking spaces within the next year.
Hannington Dia can be reached at hd@hudsonreporter.com
