NJDOT Adjusts Signal Timing at 91st Street and Tonnelle Avenue After Local Action

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has modified traffic signal timing at the intersection of 91st Street and Tonnelle Avenue (Routes 1 & 9) following formal action by North Bergen officials, addressing severe congestion that residents say made the area nearly impassable.

At the January 7 Board of Commissioners meeting, Mayor Nick Sacco and the Board adopted a resolution calling on NJDOT to reevaluate the intersection. According to the Township, drivers experienced delays exceeding 45 minutes to travel just a few blocks, hindering daily commutes and emergency response times.

Mayor Sacco stated, “Public safety and quality of life are always our top priorities. This intersection had become a serious problem for residents and for our first responders. I am pleased that NJDOT has listened to our concerns and is taking steps to correct the signal timing.”

Following the resolution, Public Safety Commissioner Allen Pascual, Police Chief Robert Farley Jr., and EMS Chief David Prina met with NJDOT engineers, who agreed to adjust the signal to allow more green time for westbound traffic. Township officials said this change is expected to reduce peak-hour congestion.

Commissioner Pascual emphasized that Tonnelle Avenue is under state jurisdiction and noted ongoing efforts to advocate for residents. “After months of communication we are pleased that action is finally being taken,” he said.

The move followed mounting public frustration, with local residents reporting short light cycles, traffic spilling into side streets, and confusion over whether the Town or State was responsible. In a separate statement, Mayor Sacco noted the Town did not initiate the changes and had called on the State to intervene.

Assemblyman-elect Larry Wainstein also weighed in, crediting his outreach to NJDOT for the signal timing changes and criticizing the Mayor for what he described as “politically charged videos.”