[Added 7-26-2005 by Ord. No. O-05-21]
The Township does hereby adopt the most current Manual on Uniform Traffic
Control Devices for Streets and Highways (hereafter known as the "MUTCD"),
except as may be supplemented and amended, as it controls and regulates construction,
maintenance operations or utility work which obstructs or affects the normal
flow of traffic. The MUTCD shall apply to all public roadways in the Township
of Freehold and private roadways where the Police Department is authorized
by ordinance to enforce Subtitle 1, Title 39 of the revised statues of the
State of New Jersey.
A.
It shall be the responsibility of the person, contractor,
or a public utility as required under N.J.A.C. 16:25-9.2 of the New Jersey
Administrative Code, wishing to conduct work on, under or above the roadway
which involves a detour, road closure, is located so close to a school as
to affect the safe passage of students or buses, or when the expected duration
of the work zone exceeds one day, to arrange with the Freehold Township Traffic
Bureau, or in its absence the Patrol Shift Supervisor, a preconstruction meeting
and submit plans, as required, for the safe movement of traffic during such
period of construction or work. No road closure or detour shall be permitted
without the approval of the Freehold Township Police Department.
B.
A preconstruction meeting shall be scheduled a minimum
of 48 hours in advance of the start of construction. The Freehold Township
Traffic Bureau or the Patrol Shift Supervisor may waive the preconstruction
meeting when the Traffic Safety Officer or Shift Supervisor is satisfied that
all of the requirements of the MUTCD and this article have been met.
C.
Traffic control plans submitted to the Traffic Safety
Bureau shall be legible. The plans shall clearly show the area where work
will be performed and precisely indicate what signage and warning devices
will be used. It shall not be the responsibility of the Freehold Township
Police Department to design traffic control plans, but only to review, modify
as needed, and approve such plans.
D.
Emergency utility repair work, where unrepaired may create
an imminent hazard, shall not require a preconstruction meeting or the submission
of a traffic control plan, but shall comply with the MUTCD. Planned projects
do not constitute an emergency.
E.
This article shall not serve to replace any separate
requirements imposed by the Township Engineer.
The Police Department reserves the right to limit the hours of operation
when the proposed construction times would unreasonably impact traffic, schools,
events or otherwise cause a safety hazard.
A.
Traffic directors shall be used when required by the
MUTCD. All traffic directors shall be trained, certified and operate in accordance
with the MUTCD. All civilian traffic control directors shall be required to
have their certification card or other appropriate proof of training present
when directing traffic.
B.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 39:4-81, only police officers may
control traffic at intersections controlled by a traffic signal or regulatory
signage. This shall include construction so close to the intersection as to
constitute an immediate hazard to traffic operating in the intersection.
A.
Any Freehold Township police officer, authorized by a
supervisor, shall have the authority to stop work, order the removal of vehicles,
equipment, dumpsters, and stored material located within the street right-of-way,
the backfilling of open excavations and/or related work, in order to abate
any nuisance, safety hazard or any violation of this article. If the contractor
is unable or unwilling to eliminate the hazard or violation, any Freehold
Township police officer, authorized by a supervisor, shall have the authority
to call in members and equipment of the State Highway Department, County Highway
Department, Freehold Township Department of Public Works and Automotive Services
or other appropriate authority, to make safe the hazardous condition or eliminate
the violation.
B.
When a public safety hazard occurs at a construction
site when no construction workers are present, and the responsible party cannot
be located, any Freehold Township police officer, authorized by a supervisor,
shall have the authority to call in members and equipment of the State Highway
Department, County Highway Department, Freehold Township Department of Public
Works and Automotive Services, or other appropriate authority, to make safe
the hazardous condition or eliminate the violation.
A.
The Township may bill for any and all expenses incurred
by it in making safe a hazardous condition or eliminating a violation. Reimbursable
expenses shall include traffic control performed by the Police Department
on private, municipal, county and state roadways.
B.
The Township may bill any individual or company for any
and all expenses incurred by the Township when assisting in emergency repair
work. Reimbursable expenses shall include traffic control performed by the
Police Department on private, municipal, county or state roads. Such work
shall include, but not be limited to, damaged or broken utility poles, downed
power lines, broken or damaged water or sewer lines, broken or damaged cable,
phone or fiber optic lines, etc.
A.
No materials, vehicles or equipment are to be placed
in the roadway or sidewalk until all safety devices, construction signs, barricades,
cones, lighting devices and pavement markings are installed in accordance
with the MUTCD and the traffic control plan, if required, has been approved
by the Township Police Department.
B.
Work area and/or detour signage, when applicable, shall
be removed or covered by the contractor when the work is completed for the
day or the detour is not in effect. All signage related to the project shall
be promptly removed upon completion of the project.
