10 May ESSEX COUNTY EXECUIVE DIVINCENZO AND LIVINGSTON MAYOR KLEIN ANNOUNCE COMPLETION OF TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION AT INTERSECTION OF EAST NORTHFIELD ROAD AND CHESTNUT STREET IN LIVINGSTON
Published on May 10, 2017
Livingston, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. was joined by Livingston Mayor Shawn R. Klein and members of the Livingston Township Council to announce new traffic signal equipment has been installed at the intersection of East Northfield Road and Chestnut Street in Livingston on Wednesday, May 10th. The project is an example of how the County of Essex and the Township of Livingston worked together to modernize infrastructure to enhance safety for pedestrians and motorists.
“Making sure our roads are safe for pedestrians and motorists is our greatest priority. When Livingston officials recommended the need for the signal, we moved ahead immediately with the project and worked with the Township to move the work ahead and minimize any disruption to residents and motorists. This is an example of how different levels of government can pool their resources do what is best for the community,” DiVincenzo said.
“Making left turns at this intersection has always been a problem and this light was greatly needed,” Freeholder Patricia Sebold said. “The County and the Township care about public safety. Livingston’s roads are heavily traveled, so making them as safe as possible is a priority,” Freeholder Len Luciano said.
“This project was a great collaboration between the town and the county. The residents in the area were concerned about traffic safety and we were grateful to work together to get something done before any tragic accidents occurred,” Livingston Mayor Shawn Klein said. He was joined at the photo op by Councilmen Al Anthony, Edward Meinhardt and Rudy Fernandez.
In the spring of 2015, the Township of Livingston approached the Essex County Department of Public Works with a proposal to install traffic control devices at the East Northfield Road and Chestnut Street intersection after a traffic study conducted by the township determined there was a need. The traffic signals meet the most modern standards and are equipped with LED lights that shine brighter and last longer. It also is equipped with GPS clocks to ensure that traffic signal coordination with signals at other nearby intersections is maintained. Also installed were high visibility crosswalks, pedestrian signals with countdown timers, and push buttons with feedback. Sidewalks, curbs, and pavement was damaged during construction were repaired or replaced.
Maser Consulting from Red Bank, NJ, received a contract to design the intersection upgrades. Foggia Trinity Electric from Scotch Plains was awarded a publicly-bid contract for $282,142 to perform the construction work. Essex County paid two-thirds of the construction costs and Livingston paid one-third. Construction started in September 2016 and was completed in about six months.
Other infrastructure projects completed by Essex County in Livingston include electrical improvements Riker Hill Art Park in 2003, the rehabilitation of the West Oakwood Avenue Bridge and the installation of pedestrian crossing signals by Harrison Avenue School on North Livingston Avenue in 2005, the replacement of the East Northfield Road Bridge over Bear Brook in 2006, the reconstruction of the Northfield Avenue Bridge over Canoe Brook in 2007, the installation of Deer Deter wildlife crossing system along East Hobart Gap Road, Parsonage Hill Road and Eisenhower Parkway in 2010, the modernization of the Locust Avenue Culvert and the installation of an open air pavilion and access improvements in Essex County Becker Park in 2012, and the resurfacing of Northfield Avenue, Northfield Road, Walnut Street, West Hobart Gap Road, Passaic Avenue, Livingston Avenue, Beaufort Avenue and Laurel Avenue.