Residents told the Bayonne City Council on Sept. 17 that dangerous traffic patterns near the Costco/Starbucks area and nearby streets are creating what one speaker called a "nightmare" and that action is overdue.

Tom Solari, a resident of West Grama Street, said he has repeatedly reported drivers entering the eastbound lane to cut across to a traffic light, a maneuver he described as "against traffic" and "head on." Solari said he had provided video evidence to council members and to city staff and accused the city's on‑call engineer (identified as Russo in testimony) of not returning calls. Solari urged the council to install middle‑of‑street measures or other physical changes to stop drivers from using the center lane to cut across traffic.

Council members, the public‑safety director and Lieutenant Conte responded that engineering, public works and the police department have been working on plans and that implementation is a matter of executing that plan and funding. Council members said that a short lapse in engineering oversight occurred when the city's engineering firm changed ownership or was purchased, leaving assignments temporarily unresolved; council members said that issue was resolved during the week of the meeting.

Council members reiterated that police and Lieutenant Conte have been monitoring the area and that plans for entrance and exit management at Costco and adjacent businesses are being developed. The council said the issue requires both infrastructure changes and enforcement; members asked residents to be patient while the plan is implemented.

Why it matters: The area cited is heavily trafficked and near commercial entrances; persistent unsafe driving can increase crash risk for motorists and pedestrians. Council members acknowledged the danger and said multiple departments (engineering, public works, police) are coordinating remedies.

What residents asked for: Physical measures to prevent center‑lane cutting, traffic signal considerations, and earlier engineering attention. Officials noted that money and implementation sequencing are factors and said they expect progress in coming weeks.

Direct transcript details: Solari said the problem predates current developments and cited KRE and other projects as increasing traffic pressure; he reported having submitted video evidence and urged council members to act before someone is injured. Council members responded that plans exist and implementation is pending but that the matter is a high priority for police and engineering staff.