Fort Lee Does Not Like Pedals and Jams!

Overview

With only a short trip across the George Washington Bridge, Fort Lee has seen the epiphany of traffic issues. As the community explores solutions to ease traffic congestion and promote sustainable alternatives, it’s essential to understand how students and working adults navigate Fort Lee’s bustling streets. Today, we’ll delve into transportation trends among Fort Lee’s younger population, the traffic challenges created by the GW Bridge, the commuting choices of Fort Lee’s adult residents, and the economic impact of transportation on the local economy.

Biking: The Student Commute

Biking has become a popular mode of transportation for Fort Lee’s student population, providing a quick way to get to school and a sustainable alternative to cars. In Fort Lee, biking and compacted EVs are likely choices for 24% of high school students. As biking grows in popularity, the need for safer, bike-friendly infrastructure is becoming more pressing. This shift also reduces traffic congestion, particularly around schools during peak hours.

Paul Lee (student at Fort Lee High School): "I prefer biking in the morning to school. Even though it sucks, nowadays, since it's getting colder, it only takes me 10 minutes to get there as opposed to 25 if I leave my house at the same time."

The GW Bridge Bottleneck

The GW Bridge is one of the most heavily trafficked crossings between New Jersey and New York, and its impact on Fort Lee is significant. During rush hours, traffic leading to the bridge creates severe congestion for commuters heading into New York and local residents navigating Fort Lee. This bottleneck disrupts the quality of life for residents and the efficiency of local travel, with daily commutes taking an additional hour due to this traffic.

Efforts have been made to alleviate some of this congestion, such as adjusting traffic light patterns and expanding park-and-ride options. However, Fort Lee’s growth calls for more substantial infrastructure investments, including potential expansions of public transit routes and pedestrian-friendly options, to ease the daily impact of bridge traffic.

Commuting Realities

For adult residents, the commuting landscape in Fort Lee is mixed. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average commute time for Fort Lee residents is approximately 37.1 minutes. Many residents rely on personal vehicles, while others use public transportation options such as NJ Transit buses. For many, the park-and-ride facilities near Fort Lee provide a viable option. Public transit is popular, yet limited schedules and overcrowded buses sometimes hinder its convenience.

Troy Yang (45-year-old Fort Lee resident): "I appreciate the different public transportation opportunities. Some mornings, I hop on the NJ Transit at around 6:30 a.m.; other times, I the Bergen Line, if I decide to eat breakfast. It's convenient and much more affordable than driving my Acura. My only problem is getting into the line for these buses.

Carpooling is becoming a practical alternative among Fort Lee’s residents to reduce the economic and environmental burdens of solo commuting. This trend aligns with rising fuel costs and environmental awareness, encouraging residents to reconsider their daily transportation choices.

Economic Impact of Transportation in Fort Lee

Transportation plays a notable role in Fort Lee’s local economy. In 2022, Fort Lee reported $49.1 million in receipts from transportation and warehousing, reflecting the sector's significant impact on the town’s economic landscape. Nationally, transportation and warehousing sectors contribute about 3% to the GDP, and for a town as strategically positioned as Fort Lee, the reliance on public transit options likely comprises a sizable portion of local economic activity. 

Moving Forward

To support Fort Lee’s evolving transportation needs, the community could explore more bike lanes, expanded public transit options, and incentives for carpooling. Implementing bike-sharing programs and enhancing pedestrian infrastructure could encourage sustainable commuting within Fort Lee. Addressing traffic congestion, particularly on routes to the GW Bridge, and investing in bike-friendly infrastructure can contribute to improved quality of life and sustained economic growth for the town.