Busy Intersection Near Maplewood/Millburn Border Gets New Traffic Signals

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Essex County recently installed new traffic signals to keep a busy intersection safe. The equipment was installed at the intersection of Valley Street and South Pierson Road in Maplewood, not far from the Millburn border, late last month.

“Valley Street is one of the busiest County roads in Essex, providing north-south access," said Essex County Executive Thomas DiVincenzo. "The high volume of cars traveling this way made it necessary for us to make sure our infrastructure here meets the current traffic demand."

The equipment includes LED traffic signals, modern poles, high visibility crosswalks and roadway striping, and pedestrian countdown timers that can be activated by pushing the crossing button.

LED lights are brighter, easier to see, more energy efficient, and last longer than traditional bulbs, the county said.

The signals also are outfitted with GPS clocks to ensure they remain coordinated with other traffic signals along Valley Street.

The intersection upgrades are part of the county’s ongoing initiative to modernize infrastructure to enhance pedestrian and motor vehicle safety and to meet the changing needs of the community.

“We use county roads to go to work, school and shopping," DiVincenzo said. "This project is part of our ongoing initiative to modernize our infrastructure to ensure it meets current traffic demands."

“I am very happy to see these traffic signals installed at this intersection. Valley Street is a very business roadway and the traffic lights were badly needed,” Commissioner Patricia Sebold said.

“The county always has been on the forefront of traffic and pedestrian safety. They came through with this project and we are very grateful for it,” said Maplewood Mayor Dean Dafis, who was accompanied by Township Committee members Frank McGehee and Victor DeLuca.

The new traffic signal is part of a larger traffic signal improvement project that also included two intersections in Belleville, two intersections in Bloomfield, and two intersections in Irvington.

Essex County received a $5.05 million grant from the Federal Local Safety Program (LSP) to fund the project. The Essex County Department of Public Works monitored the project to answer question and avoid delays from occurring.

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