A.
The Council hereby finds and declares that problems of traffic control
occur when traffic must be moved through or around road or street
construction, maintenance operations, and utility work above and below
ground, which requires 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 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 forces performing these operations.
B.
The Township of Clark in the County of Union, State of New Jersey
(the Township), 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 public utility work obstructs the normal flow of traffic.
Any person, contractor or public utility who fails to comply with
the provisions of the MUTCD while performing such work is in violation
of this article.
It shall be the responsibility of the person, contractor, or public utility wishing to conduct work on, under or above the roadway to contact the Manager, designated by the Chief of Police of the Clark Police Department (the Traffic Control Manager), in order to submit plans for the safe movement of traffic during such period of street and highway construction, except as modified under § 347-16. Any person, contractor or public utility who fails to comply with this section prior to the start of such work or whose plans are not approved by the Traffic Control Manager is in violation of this article.
The person, contractor, or public utility shall provide the Traffic Control Manager with at least two emergency contact persons to be notified in the event of an emergency at the construction or maintenance site prior to the start of any street or highway construction. If, for any reason, the emergency contact person cannot be reached, or if an emergency contact person does not respond to a call from the Police Department to correct a hazardous condition, the Township may respond to correct such hazardous condition. The reasonable fees for such emergency services provided by the Township shall be charged to the person, contractor, or public utility responsible for such hazardous condition, including the cost of a traffic director posted at a construction or maintenance site as provided under § 347-17.
There shall be no construction, maintenance or operations or utility work on any roadway in the Township before the hours of 7:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m., except as set forth under § 347-16. This time limit may be adjusted to permit work prior to 7:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. by the Traffic Control Manager. If it is determined by the Traffic Control Manager that the construction or maintenance operations prior to 7:00 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 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Road closings and/or traffic detours shall not be permitted
unless approved by the Clark Police Traffic Bureau or the supervisory
officer on duty.
A.
"Emergency work" shall be defined as a sudden condition which calls
for immediate action by public utilities in order to safeguard the
health, safety and welfare of the public.
B.
When it is determined by a public utility that an emergency condition
exists, the public utility shall proceed with immediate repair. After
completion of emergency work, the public utility shall notify the
Traffic Control Manager.
Police officers acting as traffic directors shall be posted
at all construction or maintenance sites when determined by the Traffic
Control Manager that same is necessary to provide for the safety and
expeditious movement of traffic. The Traffic Control Manager shall
determine when it is necessary for police officers to act as traffic
directors in order to provide for the safe and expeditious movement
of traffic. Any police officer acting as a traffic director shall
be posted at all construction or maintenance sites and shall remain
at such construction or maintenance site until the earlier of the
following:
The Traffic Control Manager shall have the authority to order
any person, contractor or public utility to cease street and highway
construction, 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 article.
It is to be expressly understood that no materials, vehicles
or equipment is to be placed in the roadway or sidewalk until all
construction signs, lights, devices and pavement markings are installed.
This article shall take effect after approval by the Commissioner
of Transportation, 20 days after passage and publication as prescribed
by law.
