[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.
Any person, contractor or utility violating any provisions of this article shall, upon conviction, be subject to the fines and penalties as set forth in Chapter 1, Article II, General Penalty.