Plan Calls For Newark’s Amstel Avenue To Be Restricted To One-Way Traffic

Amstel Avenue may soon be a one-way street, partially. If bike advocates get their way the city may move fifteen parking spaces from South College Avenue to Amstel Avenue.

The biking community has convinced the city’s traffic committee that removing the parking spaces in front of the Morris Library will allow for safer bike travel.

The plan is for the city to restrict traffic on Amstel Avenue, rather than the city losing the revenue generated by the on South College Avenue parking meters.

Under the proposed plan vehicles would no longer be able to turn onto Amstel Avenue from South College Avenue, only eastbound traffic would be allowed. Westbound traffic would be rerouted onto Kent Way to Orchard Road. Motorist could then can pick up Amstel Avenue from Orchard.

It’s unclear what effect the traffic pattern change would have on local food cart vendors and area businesses like the Claymont Steak House and Saxby’s Coffee. It’s also unclear what the cost of such an undertaking would be.

The city council will have to approve the plan before any work begins.