Morris County Secures $9.4M To Enhance Safety at 38 Intersections

Morris County grabbed $9.4 million in federal money to fix up 38 intersections along Newark Pompton Turnpike in Pequannock Township. The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority Board of Trustees gave the green light at its Jan. 12 meeting.

Work will span county routes 504 and 660 between Mountain Avenue and Greenwood Avenue. These fixes aim to tackle known problems. They’ll also make daily trips better for walkers, bike riders, bus passengers, and drivers.

“This is a road people rely on every day, and it needs to be safe for everyone,” said Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw, third vice chair of the NJTPA Board of Trustees, according to Morris Counth NJ.gov. “These upgrades will make a real difference, whether you’re walking, biking, taking transit, or driving along this critical corridor.”

Plans call for three traffic signals to get upgraded, plus high-visibility crosswalks, five rectangular rapid flashing beacons, four pedestrian refuge islands, and curb extensions to shorten crossing distances. Extra work includes clearer bus stop areas, stronger lighting, and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps, sidewalks, and driveways.

These changes match what a 2024 road safety review suggested. Newark Pompton Turnpike runs through Pequannock Township as the main route and has been flagged as a top pick for safety work.

The stretch ranks second in the county for pedestrian safety worries on the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s 2019 Network Screening List. From 2017 through 2021, this section saw 186 crashes reported — three hit walkers and nine involved cyclists.

More walkers and bike riders have been using the area since the Pompton Valley Rail Trail opened in 2025. Getting construction approval for federally funded projects like this one takes about 6.5 years on average.

Shaw holds the position of third vice chair of the NJTPA Board of Trustees. This board manages transportation planning for northern New Jersey.

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