BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. — Bergen County is moving to improve traffic flow in Hackensack and Fort Lee by restoring and modernizing the technology that coordinates traffic lights at 33 intersections, according to a report by The Bergen Record Tuesday.

The Bergen County Commissioners approved a $111,907 engineering contract with HNTB Corp. on Sept. 16 to assess the system, identify what needs to be repaired or replaced and develop a plan to get it fully operational.

The adaptive traffic signal system serves 24 intersections in Hackensack and nine in Fort Lee. It is designed to adjust signal timing based on changing traffic conditions, helping keep vehicles moving and reduce congestion.

The county will examine the equipment and technology connecting the intersections, along with opportunities to use the county's existing fiber-optic network to improve communication between signals.

Engineers will also look at upgrades to the computer hardware and software managing the system and develop longer-term plans for reliability, maintenance and future expansion.

“This is the kind of investment that makes sense for Bergen County, taking a hard look at the infrastructure we already have, fixing what needs to be fixed, and planning ahead for the future,” Commissioner Chairman Steve Tanelli said. “By modernizing this system, we can improve reliability, make our transportation network more efficient, and better serve the residents and businesses who rely on these roads every day.”

The project comes as traffic and pedestrian safety remain ongoing concerns in the area. At Broad Avenue and Fort Lee Road, an all-red phase now stops vehicle traffic for 26 seconds to allow pedestrians to cross after seven pedestrian-involved crashes over the past two and a half years.

County Executive Jim Tedesco said the project reflects the need to keep Bergen's transportation infrastructure up with the demands placed on it.

“Bergen County has some of the busiest roads in the state,” Tedesco said. “By restoring and upgrading this system, we can better coordinate traffic signals, improve traffic flow and make smarter use of the technology and fiber infrastructure the county already has in place.”

The county's assessment will provide the roadmap for the next phase of repairs and modernization in both Hackensack and Fort Lee.