3-17-2023 4:50pm

$3 Million in Federal Funds Secured for Traffic Safety Improvements in Morris County

Improvements will include roundabout design, pedestrian-activated rapid flashing beacon, and high-visibility crosswalks at five intersections in Mendham Township, Mendham Borough, and Dover.

Morris County will be receiving a whopping $3 million in federal funds for a series of recommended safety improvements in three areas. These safety measures will include design considerations for a roundabout, a pedestrian-activated rapid flashing beacon, and high-visibility crosswalks at five intersections in Mendham Township, Mendham Borough, and Dover.

According to Morris County Commissioner Stephen H. Shaw, who serves as Morris County’s representative to the NJTPA Board, these improvements will create a safer environment in an area frequented by people of all ages, particularly high school students, as well as those going to the local shopping center or the nearby Post Office.

The improvements will be completed as part of two separate projects. The first project, which is set to receive $1,885,000 in funding, will improve safety and overall operations at two intersections along East Main Street/Mendham Road (CR 510) from Tempe Wick Road (CR 646) to Cold Hill Road in the Borough of Mendham and Mendham Township. The project will include a roundabout, streetlighting upgrades, pedestrian signal upgrades, accessible curb ramps, and high-visibility crosswalks. A new traffic signal will also be installed at the intersection of East Main Street (CR 510) and Tempe Wick Road (CR 646).

The second project, which will receive $1,175,000 in funding, will improve three intersections along South Morris Street (CR 643) from Millbrook Avenue/Munson Avenue to Byram Avenue in Dover. This project will include street lighting upgrades, accessible curb ramps, and high-visibility crosswalks. Two new traffic signals with 12-inch signal heads and pedestrian countdown heads will be installed. An improved school crossing with curb extensions and a rectangular rapid flashing beacon will be installed at South Morris Street and Byram Avenue. Road geometry will be reconfigured at South Morris Street and Millbrook Avenue/Munson Avenue intersection.

According to Commissioner Shaw, the South Morris Street corridor includes three intersections in need of safety improvements, all of which currently have only stop signs. South Morris Street provides a direct connection with State Route 10 in Randolph and U.S. 46 and State Route 15 in Dover. Also, it connects to NJ TRANSIT’s downtown Dover Train Station, which provides service along the Morris & Essex and Montclair Boonton lines.

These two projects are part of a larger effort by the NJTPA, with a total of 19 safety improvements totaling $188.3 million across the NJTPA region. The funding is for two programs: the Local Safety Program and the High-Risk Rural Roads Program. These programs fund high-impact, cost-effective solutions to reduce crashes and improve safety for all travelers.

Passaic County Commissioner John W. Bartlett, the current Chair of the NJTPA, stated that the increases in funding are the result of highly successful partnerships between the NJTPA and its member county and city governments to deliver vitally important projects on our local roads. This federal support helps free up local dollars, state aid, and municipal aid for other priorities.

The NJTPA is the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for 13 northern New Jersey counties. Under federal legislation, MPOs provide a forum where local officials, public transportation providers, and state agency representatives can come together and cooperatively plan to meet the region’s current and future transportation needs. It establishes the region’s eligibility to receive federal tax dollars for transportation projects.