TRAFFIC DETOURS TO BE EXPECTED AS A RESULT OF THE REBUILDING OF THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT THE INTERSECTION OF PARK AVENUE / UNION AVENUE / WESTON STREET

Commissioner Carmen A. Orechio, Director of Public Safety and Commissioner Peter C. Scarpelli, Director of Public Works would like to advise citizens that as a result of the rebuilding of the traffic signal at the intersection of Park Avenue / Union Avenue / Weston Street, that they will experience detours at various times due to the construction.

Concrete Construction Corporation, South Hackensack has been awarded the contract to replace the traffic signal that has been in operation for over 50 years with a state of the art, system which features light emitting diode (LED) signals to save energy, a vehicle detection system that will change the signal on Park Avenue only when vehicles are present on Union Avenue and Weston Street, and vastly improved pedestrian safety features. Pedestrians will have “count down” pedestrian signals similar to those at the traffic light in front of the Shop Rite on Franklin Avenue that will tell pedestrians how much time is remaining for them to cross the street before the signal changes.

There will also be related curb and sidewalk replacement at the intersection, most notably a change to the curbline on the southwest corner which will provide better control of the traffic and create a shorter walking distance for people wishing to cross Union Avenue.

Although there will be times when the entire intersection is closed and traffic detoured, the construction area will be open and the School Crossing Guard will be there to assist pedestrians, as will a Nutley Police Officer to assist with traffic. Local residents in the immediate area will continually have access to their homes and will be permitted to drive around barricades to get to their homes and businesses.

The signal replacement is being funded by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation, Transportation Trust Fund in the amount of $200,000.

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