Morris County has been awarded $9.4 million in federal funding through the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) to upgrade 38 intersections in Pequannock Township.
The NJTPA Board of Trustees approved the funding at its Jan. 12 for the project spanning the Newark Pompton Turnpike (county routes 504 and 660) between Mountain Avenue and Greenwood Avenue.
The improvements are designed to address concerns and enhance daily travel along the corridor for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders and motorists.
“This is a road people rely on every day, and it needs to be safe for everyone,” said Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw, third vice chair of the NJTPA Board of Trustees. “These upgrades will make a real difference, whether you’re walking, biking, taking transit or driving along this critical corridor.”
Planned improvements include upgrades to three traffic signals, high-visibility crosswalks, five rectangular rapid flashing beacons, four pedestrian refuge islands and curb extensions to shorten crossing distances. Additional enhancements are for clearer bus stop areas, improved lighting, and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps, sidewalks and driveways, consistent with recommendations from a 2024 road safety evaluation.
Newark Pompton Turnpike serves as the primary roadway through Pequannock Township and has long been identified as a priority for safety improvements. It ranks second in Morris County for pedestrian safety concerns on the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s 2019 Network Screening List.
Between 2017 and 2021, 186 crashes were reported along this section of the corridor, including three involving pedestrians and nine involving cyclists. Pedestrian and bicycle activity has increased since the completion of the Pompton Valley Rail Trail in 2025.
The average time to reach construction authorization for federally funded projects of this scale is about 6.5 years, reflecting the extensive planning and coordination required to deliver long-term safety improvements.
