County Turns on New Traffic Signal in Elk Township
September 24, 2012
NEWS
For Immediate Release: September 21, 2012
Contact: Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger (856-853-3395) or Freeholder Heather Simmons
County Turns on New Traffic Signal in Elk Township
Safety Improvements on Buck Road Include New Signage, Striping and Paving
(Elk Twp., NJ) – Gloucester County Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger and Freeholder Heather Simmons switched on the new solar-paneled traffic signal at the intersection of Buck Road and Clayton Road in Elk Township today.
The signal was part of a federally funded safety improvement upgrade in Elk Township that included the resurfacing of Buck Road, from the Salem County line to Thornwood Drive in the Townships of Elk and Franklin.
Freeholder Director Damminger said that project that started in mid July, consisted of the milling and overlay of the existing roadway surface with 2 ½” of hot mix asphalt surface course, new reflective traffic striping, signing, replacement of existing guiderail and raised pavement markers.
The project also included the rehabilitation of the existing Bridge 9-J-1 parapets and bridge deck, Buck Road (CR553) over Reed Branch near Garrison Lake. The project included the construction of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Clayton Road and Buck Road in Elk Township. This new traffic signal, and the existing signal at Elk Road, CR538 with Buck Road were both fitted with solar panels.
“Safety is always a priority for our motorists. The new traffic signal was warranted after traffic studies showed the need and the reflective striping, new guiderail and pavement markers will make this a safer road overall for residents and motorists,” stated Freeholder Director Damminger.
Freeholder Heather Simmons said that the solar panels on the new traffic signal and the one added to the signal at Elk and Buck Roads will help cut the cost to the municipalities. All of the county’s signals work off of electricity, but those with solar panels collect energy and send it back into the system, working as a way to cut down on usage, costs, and CO2 in the atmosphere.
“These signals are operated by electricity with a battery backup like all of our signals, and they collect energy and send back into the meter and reduce the electric usage and CO2 output into the environment,” Freeholder Simmons said. “This ensures safety, reduces costs to the municipality and is a green way to produce energy,” the Freeholder concluded.
The $1.4 million federally funded project was completed by South State Inc. of Bridgeton NJ.
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