Officials in Wanaque, NJ have dropped support for a plan to double capacity on Passaic County Rte 511 (the "Ringwood Avenue Bypass") which would provide a high-volume connection from I-287 to environmentally-sensitive areas in the NJ highlands.

The road plan was opposed by citizens, environmental groups and water companies associated with area reservoirs, and was criticized by NJ DEP. Ringwood-based Skylands Clean and Wanaque’s Coalition Against Alternate 3 deserve recognition for leading the fight to stop what many feared would be a "can-opener" for development in the highlands and Sterling Forest.

Wanaque is now seeking designation as a "center" under the NJ State Plan, which could open new sources of state aid to the town, and apparently does not want its application to refer to a project whose chances for realization have grown slim. Citizens who fought the road expansion support the notion of developing a more attractive and coherent Wanaque town center but are wary of any efforts to promote Wanaque as a regional center. They fear the latter course could lead to development that will in turn generate more proposals like the Ringwood Ave. Bypass.