Essex County seeks $64 million NJTPA safety grant to rebuild dozens of intersections; commissioners press for more public outreach
Loading...
Summary
County engineer presented a $64 million grant application to reconstruct 59 signalized intersections and add 11 new signals across 13 municipalities; commissioners pressed for stronger public outreach and a review of the county’s Complete Streets policy.
Essex County moved forward with a resolution to support a $64 million application to the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority’s local safety program to fund reconstruction and safety improvements at county-owned intersections.
David Antonio, Director of Public Works, told the board the application would cover reconstruction at 59 existing signalized intersections and construction of 11 new traffic signals at previously unsignalized locations, spanning 13 municipalities. He said 26 locations along Bloomfield Avenue and multiple intersections on Sanford Avenue and Eisenhower Parkway are included among prioritized corridors.
Anthony Mariani of Colliers Engineering, who helped prepare the application, said the sites were chosen from NJTPA crash‑screening lists and local safety needs and that proposals must demonstrate measurable crash‑reduction benefits. Antonio estimated construction would likely begin in 2026 if federal awards materialize and funding due diligence and engineering design proceed on schedule.
Commissioner Gill urged more proactive public outreach, calling for the county to invite municipal leaders and communities into the planning process rather than responding only after public outcry. Gill cited a recent outreach meeting in West Orange—organized around several intersection projects—as a promising model and suggested the county enhance its communications and adopt more transparent, accessible mapping and project-status tools.
Board members discussed pedestrian and bicycle safety measures that could be incorporated into projects, including new pedestrian-signal equipment, curb bump-outs, lead pedestrian intervals, bike lanes where appropriate and mid-block rapid rectangular flashing beacons. Mariani said those countermeasures are part of the toolbox used to achieve measurable safety benefits under federal guidelines.
The board approved the slate of public-works items and the resolution supporting the grant application. Antonio said the county has historically been successful in similar applications and described this as one of the largest applications the county has submitted.
What happens next: If the application is successful, the county will complete due diligence, select engineering firms to finalize design, and advance construction, with a likely start date in 2026.
