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New Jersey Woman Conducts Her Own Neighborhood Traffic Study

HO-HO-KUS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A New Jersey woman has taken matters into her own hands by conducting her own traffic study, which local officials say is illegal.

Ho-Ho-Kus resident Donna Cioffi has long-complained about the traffic volume on Powderhorn Road.

"We walk our dogs in another neighborhood that doesn't get any traffic. Our children can't ride their bicycles," Cioffi told CBS 2's Alice Gainer.

She said the road has become a popular shortcut for motorists on County Road 502 through Ho-Ho-Kus, but it was never intended to be a through street.

New Jersey Woman Conducts Her Own Traffic Study In Her Neighborhood

"Building plans, according to the ordinance that was passed, there was a berm at the end of Powderhorn Road," Cioffi told WCBS 880's Sean Adams.

But the street was never closed off and Cioffi doesn't believe Ho-Ho-Kus has done enough to mitigate the flow of trucks and cars.

"They will only do Band-Aid measures here," Cioffi said. "They put the speed bumps in, which are really ineffective, they put stop signs up."

After Cioffi failed to get the borough to conduct a new traffic study, she paid an engineering firm $600 to install black traffic counting cables along Powderhorn Road last week.

"The public has a right to access from Wearimus over to Saddle River. That said, however, people need to slow down," said neighbor Joe Healy. "People live here with children and pets."

"I had to take matters into my own hands," Cioffi said. "They're not happy about it."

The borough sent a letter stating the traffic study is illegal, unsanctioned and that the cables must go.

Cioffi said she'll remove the cables at the end of the counting study Tuesday evening.

"If you really believe that what you are doing is the right thing to do and it's in the best interest of your neighborhood or your family, then you go ahead and you do it," Cioffi said.

In a statement, the mayor of Ho-Ho-Kus said the town has addressed the traffic concerns over the years and called the matter settled.

"Traffic enforcement, installation of speed tables and stop signs, and new truck restrictions have improved the safety and quality of life for residents," the statement said.

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