The Township Committee finds and declares that
problems of traffic control occur when traffic must be moved through
and around street construction, maintenance operations and utility
work, above and below the ground, which requires blocking the street
and obstructing the normal flow of traffic, and that such obstructions
are or can become dangerous when not properly controlled. In order
to better promote the public health, safety, peace and welfare, it
is necessary to establish controls and regulations directed to secure
the safe and expeditious movement of traffic through and around construction
and maintenance zones and to provide safety for the work forces performing
these operations. The Township Committee does hereby adopt the current
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways
hereafter known as the "MUTCD," except as hereby supplemented and
amended, as it controls and regulates whenever construction, maintenance
operations or utility work obstructs the normal flow of traffic. Any
person, contractor or utility who fails to comply with the provisions
of the MUTCD while performing such work is in violation of this section.
It shall be the responsibility of the person,
contractor or utility (in the case of a public utility as required
under the public utility agreement, section 16:25-9.2) wishing to
conduct work on, under or above the street to contact the Township
Engineer or the Supervisor of Roads in order to arrange a preconstruction
meeting in order to submit plans for the safe movement of traffic
during such period of construction or work. Any person, contractor
or utility who fails to comply with this section prior to the start
of such work or whose plans are not approved by the Township Engineer
or the Supervisor of Roads of the municipality is in violation of
this section.
The person, contractor, or utility shall provide
at least two emergency contact telephone numbers to be called in case
of emergency problems at the construction or maintenance site prior
to the start of any work. If, for any reason, emergency contact is
made, or if the emergency contact person does not respond to a call
from the Township Engineer or the Supervisor of Roads to correct such
hazardous condition, the municipality may respond to correct the hazardous
condition(s). The reasonable fees for such emergency services by the
municipality shall be charged to the person, contractor or utility
responsible for the condition.
There shall be no construction, maintenance
operations or utility work on any roadway in the municipality before
the hour of 7:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. This time limit may be adjusted
by the Township Engineer, the Supervisor of Roads or the Township
Committee to permit work prior to 7:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. If
it is determined by the Township Engineer, the Supervisor of Roads
or the Township Committee that the construction or maintenance operations
prior to 7:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. would substantially delay traffic
or cause a safety or health hazard, the work shall then be permitted
only between 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Road closings and/or traffic detours shall not
be permitted unless approved by the Mayor or the Supervisor of Roads.
Traffic directors shall be posted at all construction
or maintenance sites when determined by the Township Engineer, the
Supervisor of Roads, or the Township Committee that they are necessary
to provide for the safe and expeditious movement of traffic.
The Township Engineer, the Supervisor of Roads,
or the Township Committee shall have the authority to stop work, including
the removal of equipment and vehicles, stored material within the
street right-of-way, in order to abate any nuisance and/or safety
hazard or for any violation of this article.
It is to be expressly understood that no materials,
vehicles or equipment are to be placed in the roadway or sidewalk
or until all construction, signs, light devices and pavement markings
are installed.
Any person, contractor or utility who commits
a violation of this article shall, upon conviction thereof for a first
offense, pay a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 and/or
be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not exceeding 90 days;
for a second offense, upon conviction thereof, pay a fine of not less
than $250 and/or be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not exceeding
90 days. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day
during or on which violation occurs or continues.
