STONE HARBOR COUNCIL URGES COUNTY TO TEST “SCRAMBLE” FOR SAFER 96TH STREET INTERSECTIONS

STONE HARBOR, N.J. — Stone Harbor officials are pressing Cape May County to address safety hazards at two of the borough’s busiest intersections, where high summer traffic volumes have created longstanding dangers for both pedestrians and drivers. Public safety concerns at 96th Street’s intersections with Third and Second avenues have been prominent for years, as walkers and motorists frequently compete for the same space despite existing traffic lights and pedestrian signals. These dangers were underscored recently when a minor was struck by a vehicle and hospitalized at the 96th and Second location, prompting fresh calls for immediate action by borough leaders. On July 8, Stone Harbor Council President Jennifer Gensemer appeared before county commissioners to highlight what she described as a “serious and ongoing risk” at these crossroads. She urged the county to implement a test of a “pedestrian scramble”—a traffic signal pattern that allows all pedestrians to cross in every direction while vehicles are stopped. She stressed that existing priorities favor moving cars quickly, sometimes at the expense of pedestrian safety, and argued for a better balance.
The scramble system would stop all vehicle movement during a dedicated pedestrian phase, though it could mean longer waits for both cars and those on foot. Previous discussions about the scramble in 2023 were stalled over concerns about potential reductions in sidewalk size and the loss of parking in the business district. Gensemer countered that the borough should conduct a pilot program first, collecting data before making any major sidewalk or parking changes. After her presentation, Cape May County Commission Director Len Desiderio toured the intersections alongside Gensemer to observe the issues firsthand and promised to continue discussions with the county engineer. Residents at the July 15 Stone Harbor Council meeting supported Gensemer’s initiative. The situation at these intersections was described as chaotic and in need of urgent resolution.