Traffic Roundabout In Livingston Will Cut Down On Delays, Crashes: Officials

LIVINGSTON, NJ — A new traffic change at a busy intersection in Livingston will have drivers going in circles.

On Wednesday, county officials announced that a traffic roundabout has been installed near West Hobart Gap Road and Walnut Street – which will make it safer and easier to travel.

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The intersection is located near and provides access to the Livingston Mall and a community bus park and ride lot. Nearly 15,000 vehicles pass through the intersection per day.

According to Essex County officials, the three-legged intersection was previously regulated by stop signs and saw chronic congestion, lengthy vehicle backups and a high frequency of rear-end crashes.

The roundabout design funnels all traffic into a circular, single lane around a central island, which provides a more consistent flow of traffic through the intersection and improves visibility for drivers.

Other improvements included with the roundabout are a reduced vehicular speed limit, roadway illumination, advanced warning signage, pavement markings, pedestrian crosswalks and bicycle-accessible ramps.

Essex County released the following details about funding for the project:

"Urban Engineers from Mt. Laurel received a professional services contract to design the intersection improvements. JA Alexander, Inc. from Bloomfield received a publicly bid contract for $1,147,967 to perform the construction work. OMSUM Engineering from Piscataway was awarded a contract for $254,991 to provide construction inspection services. The improvements were funded with a grant from the Federal High Safety Improvement Program administered through the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority and the NJ Department of Transportation's Local Safety Program."

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said the intersection is heavily trafficked because of its proximity to a commuter parking lot and because it links to other major roadways.

"Controlling the flow of traffic in a single lane that is more coordinated will improve the intersection for motorists and pedestrians," DiVincenzo said, thanking municipal officials from Livingston for helping to get the project over the finish line.

Other supporters of the new roundabout included Essex County Commissioner Len Luciano and Livingston Councilman Michael Vieira, who shared a story about an accident happening at the intersection during a public hearing about the improvements.

"People really didn't realize this intersection was unsafe because there were a lot of unreported fender benders," Vieira said. "This was much needed."

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