[Added 6-22-1993 by Ord. No. 10-93]
A.
The Board of Commissioners hereby finds and declares
that problems of traffic control occur when traffic must be moved
through or around street construction, maintenance operations and
utility work above and below ground which require blocking the roadway
and obstructing the normal flow of traffic and that such obstructions
are or can become dangerous when not properly controlled. In order
to be better promote the public health, safety, peace and welfare,
it is necessary to establish controls and regulations directed to
the safety and expeditious movement of traffic through construction
and maintenance zones and to provide safety for the work force performing
these operations.
B.
The Village of Ridgefield Park in the County of Bergen,
State of New Jersey, does hereby adopt the current Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices, hereafter known as "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 or which fails to comply
with the provisions of MUTCD while performing such work is in violation
of this section.
It shall be responsibility of the person, contractor
or, in the case of a public utility, as required under the public
utility agreement wishing to conduct work on, under or above the roadway
to contact the Traffic Bureau of the Ridgefield Park Police Department
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 worker whose plans are
not approved by the Traffic Bureau of the Police Department is in
violation of this section.
The person, contractor or utility shall provide
the Traffic Bureau of the Police Department with at least two emergency
contact phone 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 cannot be reached or if the emergency
contact person does not respond to the call from the Police Department
to correct a hazardous condition, the Village may respond to correct
such hazardous condition. The reasonable fees for such emergency service
by the Village shall be charged to the person, contractor or utility
responsible for such condition.
There shall be no construction, maintenance
operation or utility work on any roadway in the Village before the
hour of 9:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. This time limit may be adjusted
to permit work prior to 9:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. by the Chief
of Police or his designee. If it is determined by the Chief of Police
or his designee that the construction or maintenance operations prior
to 9:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. would substantially delay traffic
or cause a safety or health hazard, the work shall then be permitted
only between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Road closings and/or traffic detours shall not
be permitted unless approved by the Village Police Department (Traffic
Bureau).
Traffic directors shall be posted at all construction
or maintenance sites when determined by the Village Police Department
(Traffic Bureau) that the same are necessary to provide for the safety
and expeditious movement of traffic.
The Traffic Bureau of the Village Police Department
shall have the authority to stop work, including the removal of equipment
and vehicles, stored material within the street right-of-way, backfilling
of open excavations and/or other related work, in order to abate any
nuisance and/or safety hazard or for any violation of this section.
It is to be expressly understood that no materials,
vehicles or equipment are to be placed in the roadway or sidewalk
area until all construction, signs, lights, devices and pavement markings
are installed.
Any person, contractor or utility who or which
commits a violation of this article shall be subject to a fine of
not less than $1,000 or detention as a prisoner for a period not to
exceed 90 days or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days.
