New Lines and a New Light Come To Rt. 15

As a Valentine’s Day gift to Jefferson, a new traffic light that has been installed for several weeks at the intersection of Rt. 15 South and Bowling Green Parkway in the Lake Hopatcong section of Jefferson Township will be operational by approximately 10 a.m. on Monday Feb. 14, according to the NJ Department of Transportation (DOT).

“The work on the light is essentially done as of [Feb. 10],” DOT spokesperson Timothy Greeley said. “Per regulations we have to have the new signal put on temporary flash for three to five days before it is fully activated,” he said.

The light was supposed to be operational in mid-January. However, according to Greeley, a problem with moisture in the light’s control box had to be resolved first. That problem has since been taken care of, according to the DOT.

A crew of workers from Denville Line Painting braved cold temperatures on Thursday to paint permanent lines at the intersection. The lines include stop bars, cross walks, stacking lines (solid lines right near the traffic light warning drivers not to change lanes while going through the intersection) and arrows and the word “only.”

“We use thermoplastic,” said Denville Line Painting crew chief Chris Marquart of the material used to paint the lines. “Under normal conditions, it lasts about two to three years,” he added.

“This light has been a long time coming,” Jefferson council president Rick Yocum said. “I’m surprised, but happy, that there haven’t been more accidents at that site. This light will make conditions much safer for drivers crossing Rt. 15 South.”

Editor's Note: Bob Toth, shown in some of the accompanying photography, is the director of operations for Denville Line Painting, and the husband of Jefferson Patch editor Sue Toth.