Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 39:4-8, the Township hereby asserts authority
and control, in conformance with law, over the following: stop signs,
four-way stop control, traffic signals, speed limits, no-passing zones,
parking restrictions, and traffic controls on private property.
Findings; adoption of manual.
A. The Township Committee 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 or 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 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.
B. The Township of Franklin, in the County of Hunterdon, State of New
Jersey, 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.
(1) Preconstruction meetings. It shall be the responsibility of the person,
contractor, or in the case of a public utility, wishing to conduct
work on, under or above the street to contact the Police Department
of the Township of Franklin 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 Police Department
of the Township of Franklin, is in violation of this section.
(2) Hazardous conditions. The person, contractor or utility shall provide
at least two emergency contact telephone numbers to be called in cases
of emergency problems at the construction or maintenance site prior
to the start of any work. If, for any reason, emergency contact cannot
be made, or if the emergency contact person does not respond to a
call from the Police Department to correct such hazardous condition,
the Township of Franklin may respond to correct the hazardous condition(s).
The reasonable fees for such emergency services by the Township of
Franklin shall be charged to the person, contractor, or utility responsible
for the condition.
(3) Hours. There shall be no construction, maintenance operations, or
utility work on any roadway in the Township 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 officer in charge
of the Township Police Department. If it is determined by the officer
in charge 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.
(4) Road closing. Road closing and/or traffic detours shall not be permitted
unless approved by the Township Police Department.
(5) Traffic directors. Traffic directors shall be posted at all construction
or maintenance sites when determined by the Township Police Department
that same is necessary to provide for the safety and expeditious movement
of traffic.
(6) Stop work. The Township 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 excavation
and/or other related work, in order to abate any nuisance and/or safety
hazard or for any violation of this section.
(7) Site preparation. It is to be expressly understood that no materials,
vehicle or equipment are to be placed in the roadway or sidewalk until
all construction signs, lights, devices and pavement markings are
installed.
Prior to the final adoption and implementation of such ordinance,
resolution, or regulation, the Municipal Engineer shall, under his
seal as a licensed professional engineer, certify to the governing
body of the Township that any designation for erection of signs or
placement of paper markings has been approved by the Engineer after
investigation of the circumstances and any such designation, in the
opinion of the Engineer, is in the best interest of safety and expedition
of traffic on the public highways, and that such designation conforms
to the current standards prescribed by the Manual on Uniform Traffic
Control Devices for Streets and Highways as adopted by the Commissioner
of the Department of Transportation.
The following may be adopted, amended, modified, or repealed
by resolution:
A. Prohibit and/or restrict general parking;
B. Designate restricted parking, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 39:4-197.6;
C. Designate time limit parking;
E. Designate loading and unloading zones and taxi stands;
F. Approve street closing for periods of up to 48 continuous hours;
G. Designate restricted parking, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 39:4-197.5;
I. Reinstate or add parking on any street;
J. Install or place an in-street pedestrian crossing right-of-way sign
at marked crosswalks or unmarked crosswalks at an intersection;
K. Designate stops, stations, or stands for omnibuses and/or taxis.
The provisions of this chapter imposing a time limit on parking
shall not relieve any person of the duty to observe other, more restrictive
provisions prohibiting or limiting the stopping or standing or parking
of vehicles as set forth in N.J.S.A. 39:4-138, any other New Jersey
statute, or as herein provided.