Two Busy Bloomfield Intersections Get Traffic Safety Upgrades: New Signals and Crosswalks Complete

Essex County has completed traffic safety upgrades at two busy Bloomfield intersections, bringing new signal equipment, fresh signage, and improved roadway markings to Franklin Street and Berkeley Avenue and Franklin Street and Watsessing Avenue. The improvements were announced by County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. and are part of an ongoing effort to make Essex County's busiest intersections safer for both drivers and pedestrians.

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What was done

Each intersection received new traffic signal equipment, new poles, updated signage, and fresh roadway striping. The upgrades bring the intersections up to modern safety standards and are designed to improve visibility and clarity for everyone using the road -- whether you're behind the wheel, on a bike, or crossing on foot.

Franklin Street is a key commuter route through Bloomfield, connecting residential neighborhoods to local schools, parks, and commercial areas. Berkeley Avenue and Watsessing Avenue are both important secondary streets that see consistent traffic throughout the day, including school buses and pedestrian traffic from nearby homes and the Watsessing Park area.

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Why this matters for homeowners

For anyone who lives near or regularly drives through these intersections, the upgrades mean a safer, more predictable commute. Newer traffic signals with brighter, more visible lights and clearer signage reduce the risk of confusion at busy crossings. For families with kids who walk to school or to the park, improved crosswalks and pedestrian signals add peace of mind.

Infrastructure improvements like these are also a positive signal for the neighborhood's long-term health. When county and local governments invest in road safety, it tends to support property values by making the area more livable and appealing to future buyers. It's a small but meaningful piece of the puzzle for anyone considering buying a home on or near these streets.

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The bigger picture

These two Bloomfield intersections are among several getting attention from Essex County this year. In addition to these local upgrades, the county recently secured $41.9 million in grants to improve safety at 36 high-crash intersections across Essex County -- a broader investment that signals a real commitment to making our roads safer. The work on Franklin Street is a tangible example of that funding reaching our neighborhoods.

The bottom line

If you live near, drive through, or walk around Franklin Street and Berkeley Avenue or Franklin Street and Watsessing Avenue, you'll notice the difference. Brighter signals, clearer markings, and modern equipment make these intersections safer for everyone. It's one of those infrastructure projects that doesn't make headlines but makes a real difference in daily life -- and that's worth knowing about.