By Mary Brienza, Staff Writer
As part of a state Department of Transportation procedure, the Township Council introduced an ordinance March 8 that approves the installation of a traffic light at the intersection of Fresh Ponds and Deans Rhode Hall roads, according to township spokesman Ron Schmalz.
The traffic signal has been operational for more than a year, and in that time decreased accidents and improved traffic flow, Mr. Schmalz said.
The ordinance in support of the signal goes to the DOT and is needed in order to close out construction, Mr. Schmalz said. A public hearing and vote on adoption will be held at the April 12 meeting.
”(The signal) definitely improved that intersection,” Mr. Schmalz said.
Before the installation of the traffic signal, there were several accidents with fatalities when the intersection was controlled by a stop sign, Mr. Schmalz said.
He said there was a problem with people running the stop signs, and after the installation of the signal, no fatal accidents at that intersection have been reported.
The traffic light had been recommended for 10 years, and it took three years for DOT approvals, Mr. Schmalz said.
Mayor Frank Gambatese said the light was needed since there were many accidents in the area.
”(I am) pleased that it is finally complete,” Mr. Gambatese said.
It took a long time to get the installation done because Middlesex County had to get involved, Mr. Schmalz said. The county paid for the light, its installation and intersection improvements, which cost $1,016,236.61.
There had been a large public outcry about adding a traffic light and improving the intersection before the light was installed, Mr. Schmalz said.
Mr. Gambatese said the police had requested the light as well.
It was done through consent resolutions at municipality and county levels, Mr. Schmalz said.
Councilman John O’Sullivan said the township should make sure the money is there.
”Traffic lights don’t just appear,” Mr. O’Sullivan said.
DOT is in charge of approving all traffic signals in the state of New Jersey, Mr. Schmalz said.
The area also had engineering improvements made, including widening the road and increasing the turning radius, which improved visibility, Mr. Schmalz said.
The intersection is very heavily traveled during rush hour, Mr. Schmalz said. Fresh Ponds Road is used as a bypass to go to and from East Brunswick and South Brunswick, and Deans Rhode Hall Road is used to go to and from South Brunswick, Monroe and Jamesburg, Mr. Schmalz said.
The DOT is in charge of the managing the light if anything goes wrong, Mr. Schmalz said.

