Crime & Safety

POLL: Will New 4-Way Stop in Liberty Corner Improve Traffic Flow?

A new four-way stop at the intersection of Church Street and Somerville Road in Liberty Corner is something that drivers will need to get used to.

A new four-way stop sign is in place at the intersection of Church Street and Somerville Road at the edge of Liberty Corner village, near Harry Dunham Park, and drivers are getting accustomed to the new traffic pattern.

The county plan approved earlier this year by the also calls for the removal of turning lanes on Somerville Road. White barricades had been placed in those lanes as of Friday morning, where restriping had indicated that the lanes would no longer be in use.

A car was stationed along Church Street near the intersection as of about 10:30 a.m. on Friday morning. The signs and barricades already had been up the previous day.

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The i but traffic along Church Street, which turns into Liberty Corner Road after crossing Somerville Road, now has the right of way. The township's Harry Dunham Park is at the intersection.

Township officials had voted to endorse the four-way stop following a discussion about whether the four-way stop is a prelude to further traffic control measures at that intersection, such as a traffic signal.

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Township Committeeman Scott Spitzer asked that the resolution approved on Tuesday be modified to specify that the township at this time is only approving the four-way stop, rather than a traffic light at this time.

In response from a question in early February, Chief Brian Bobowicz said police files show that no accidents had taken place at the intersection for 2012 as of that first week in the month; four were recorded in 2011; one in 2010 and three in 2009.

None of the accidents were fatalities, the chief said. The chief said a flashing light on Somerville Road by the initial stop sign has been installed for many years.

Let us know what you think about the new four-way stop, and changes to the intersection.

Information about who has the right of way at intersections in NJ in online at the Division of Motor Vehicle website.


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