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Passaic to pursue USDOT-selected road-safety study estimated at $400,000
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Summary
Council discussed a USDOT-directed contract to conduct a comprehensive road-safety analysis across the city, an initiative administration said is intended to identify engineering fixes and advance a goal of zero roadway fatalities. Council members asked for clarity on scope and cost.
The Passaic City Council on April 14 discussed a USDOT-funded contract that would pay a consultant selected from a U.S. Department of Transportation list to produce a comprehensive road-safety analysis for the municipality.
During questioning about the contract, a city official identified as the business administrator said the study follows USDOT guidelines and estimated the cost "in the neighborhood of $400,000," adding that the consultant would analyze intersections with the most accidents and provide prioritized recommendations to reduce fatalities. "The idea is that when this analysis is done, that it would create a vision to reach 0 fatalities in the road," the business administrator said.
Council members pressed on what the consultant would deliver and whether smaller, lower-cost fixes could be implemented without the study. Councilman Monk said some safety improvements, such as enforcing parking restrictions near corners, could be done immediately at lower cost. The business administrator responded that the study would provide a citywide prioritization and a menu of fixes ranging from low-cost measures (portable speed devices, signage changes) to more extensive engineering options.
The administration said the study would analyze nearly every intersection in the city and then identify the highest-risk locations for action. The report is expected to list remedies from "good to best," enabling the city to sequence work by critical need and available financing.
Council did not take a formal vote to award the contract at the meeting; members requested further clarifications about scope and the schedule for naming the consultant and asked that related materials be provided in advance of any final action.
