Traffic signal could be functional by April
By: Stephanie Brown
MONROE The township is closer to installing a traffic signal at the intersection of Municipal Plaza, Schoolhouse and Perrineville roads.
After a month of soliciting bids for construction of the light, officials say they have received three proposals and hope that, once the contract is awarded in October, construction can begin later that month.
Township Business Administrator Wayne Hamilton said Lucas Brothers of Morganville bid $1.07 million, Orchard Holdings of Middlesex bid $1.24 million and Daidon of Newark bid $1.64 million.
Mr. Hamilton said the township would most likely award Lucas Brothers the contract, but first the Township Council would have to amend the funding ordinance, which authorized $600,000 for the project.
The traffic light has been in the works since 2003 when the council signed an agreement with the county to share responsibilities for the work. Under the agreement, the county is responsible for all construction costs and Monroe is responsible for design, land acquisition and the state-approval process.
Mr. Hamilton said the county will reimburse the township for construction costs.
In addition to the traffic light, site plans show widening of the three roads at the intersection for additional turn lanes and drainage improvements for storm water management services, said Township Engineer Ernie Feist.
Mr. Feist said the project could begin in October and would take about six months for completion. He anticipates limited road closures and alternating traffic patterns, comparable to that of the repaving of Perrineville Road during the summer.