Hackensack, New Jersey

Bergen County commissioners have approved a $111,907 engineering contract with HNTB Corp. to assess and modernize the county's adaptive traffic signal system, which coordinates light timing at 33 intersections across Fort Lee and Hackensack. The system, designed to adjust signal timing in real time based on traffic conditions, currently serves nine intersections in Fort Lee and 24 in Hackensack but is not functioning as intended.

Under the agreement, HNTB will evaluate existing equipment and technology, identify needed repairs or replacements, and develop engineering plans to restore and modernize the network. The review will also examine whether the county's existing fiber-optic infrastructure can be used to strengthen communication between intersections, along with potential upgrades to the hardware and software managing the system. County officials say the resulting assessment will provide a road map for longer-term improvements to reliability, maintenance, and future capacity, with HNTB continuing to provide engineering support as upgrades move forward.