Traffic light is coming closer to reality.
By: Al Wicklund
JAMESBURG The long-awaited signal light at the point where Forsgate Drive is met by Perrineville Road and Gatzmer Avenue is closer to reality.
Borough Attorney Fred Raffetto said Wednesday that correspondence between the borough and Middlesex County indicates that the county is close to the bidding phase for the light.
Mayor Tony LaMantia said Thursday things look good.
"The county is wrapping up the land acquisition and we are taking on the cost of construction," the mayor said.
He said Jamesburg will use a state Department of Transportation $100,000 grant to pay for its share of the project.
"There was a delay in acquiring the land," he said. "Some of the property owners are out of state, but I believe the land acquisition is coming to an end and we are in the final stage of getting that light."
The heavily trafficked corner currently is set up as an all-way stop with drivers responsible for going through the intersection based on the order in which they arrive at their particular stop signs.
Mayor LaMantia said he believes the new traffic light will be in place and operating in time for the opening of the CVS Pharmacy at the corner of Forsgate Drive and Perrineville Road, across from Borough Hall. The store will have access to its parking lot on Perrineville Road and is expected to attract more traffic going through the intersection at Forsgate Drive.
The pharmacy is currently under construction.
"The CVS building is progressing rapidly," the mayor said. "I expect the light will be ready to help with the increased traffic when the pharmacy opens. It doesn’t take that long to put up a traffic light. It’s not like building a house."

