Public Information Center Notice
East Front Street (CR 620) Intersection Safety Improvement Project at Watchung Avenue, Roosevelt Avenue, Sandford Avenue, and Norwood Avenue/Richmond Street, City of Plainfield, Union County
Union County, together with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, will be hosting a Public Information Center meeting to inform local residents, officials and businesses of the intersection safety improvement project for East Front Street (CR 620) in the City of Plainfield. The project is receiving funds through the Local Safety Program which is a federally-funded program established by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), using Federal Highway Administration’s Highway Safety Improvements Program funds, with a purpose of advancing safety improvements on county and local roadways within its region.
The purpose of this meeting is to inform the public and solicit input and comments on the proposed improvements. This meeting is open to all members of the public. County engineering staff, a NJTPA representative and the consulting design engineer will be available to answer questions.
Date: Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at 7 pm
City Council Meeting
Municipal Court-Council Chambers, 515 Watchung Avenue
Project Information
Union County is receiving a federally funded grant for the East Front Street (CR 620) Intersection Safety Improvement project through the Local Safety Program. This program was established by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), using Federal Highway Administration’s Highway Safety Improvements Program funds, with a purpose of advancing safety improvements on county and local roads within its region.
Project Background
Based on an analysis of crash records conducted by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, high crash corridors and intersections within Union County have been identified including:
- East Front Street ranked #4 in high crash corridors
- East Front Street and Watchung Avenue ranked #1 in high crash pedestrian intersections
- East Front Street and Roosevelt Avenue ranked #10 in high crash pedestrian intersections
- East Front Street and Norwood Avenue/Richmond Street ranked #23 in high crash intersections
The existing traffic signal equipment lacks pedestrian countdown signals and is not Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) compliant. Furthermore, pedestrian facilities at these locations do not meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance standards.
Proposed Improvements
The East Front Street (CR 620) Safety Improvement project involves vehicular and pedestrian improvements including:
- A new traffic signals, audible pedestrian countdown signals and pushbuttons;
- A pedestrian activated flashing sign orsignal at Sandford Avenue;
- Curb ramp upgrades to comply Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines and sidewalk repairs where needed;
- New signage and pavement markings;
- New crosswalk striping to increase visibility;
- Milling and paving of the roadway surface within the limits of disturbance of each intersection; and
- Improved street lighting
No roadway widening is proposed. Permission will be requested through in-lieu of easement agreements for work that is to be performed outside of the existing right-of-way such as grading and sidewalk repairs necessary to meet ADA compliance. The existing intersections will be open during construction and the duration of construction is estimated to be 240 days.
At the present time the estimated construction cost is $1.110 Million and theestimated start of construction is in the Summer of 2020.
Written comments will be accepted through Friday, December 21, 2018. Comments may be mailed, faxed, or emailed to the Union County Project Manager in addition to request for more information.
Raymond L. Sullivan
County Project Manager, County of Union, Division of Engineering
2325 South Avenue
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
Tel: 908-789-3687 Fax: 908-789-3674
rsullivan@ucnj.org