12 Aug ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO DEDICATES TRAFFIC ROUNDABOUT AT WEST HOBART GAP ROAD AND WALNUT STREET IN LIVINGSTON New Design Enhances Traffic Control and Eases Congestion
Published on August 12, 2026
Livingston, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced that a traffic roundabout, or circle, has been installed at the intersection of West Hobart Gap Road and Walnut Street in Livingston on Wednesday, August 12th. The revamped construction transforms the three-leg intersection into a controlled one-lane circular pattern. It is part of the County Executive’s ongoing initiative to modernize the County’s infrastructure to meet the changing needs of residents and motorists.
“We are pleased to work with our municipal partners in Livingston to modernize this intersection, so traffic flow and safety are improved,” DiVincenzo said. “This intersection is heavily trafficked because of its proximity to a commuter parking lot and because it links to other major roadways. Controlling the flow of traffic in a single lane that is more coordinated will improve the intersection for motorists and pedestrians,” he added.
“On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, we are proud to partner with the County Executive on another public safety project. The improvements not only make the intersection safer, but the traffic flows so much better,” Commissioner Len Luciano said.
“On behalf of the Township of Livingston, thank you to the County Executive for getting this project done. People really didn’t realize this intersection was unsafe because there were a lot of unreported fender benders. This was much needed,” Livingston Councilman Michael Vieira said, while sharing a story about an accident happening at the intersection during a public hearing about the improvements.
“We have a great working relationship with Essex County on projects such as these that enhance the pedestrian and traffic safety in our communities. Working on federally funded projects can be difficult, but Essex County has proven time and again that they can deliver,” North Jersey Transportation Authority Executive Director Dave Behrend said.
The intersection is located near and provides access to the Livingston Mall and a community bus park and ride lot, and there are about 15,000 vehicles that pass through the intersection on a daily basis. The three-legged intersection previously was regulated by stop signs and experienced recurring congestion, lengthy vehicle back ups and a high frequency of rear-end crashes.
The roundabout design funnels all traffic into a circular, single lane around a central island. This provides a more consistent flow of traffic through the intersection and improves visibility for drivers. Other improvements included with the roundabout are a reduced vehicular speed limit, roadway illumination, advanced warning signage, pavement markings, pedestrian crosswalks and bicycle-accessible ramps.
Urban Engineers from Mt. Laurel received a professional services contract to design the intersection improvements. JA Alexander, Inc. from Bloomfield received a publicly bid contract for $1,147,967 to perform the construction work. OMSUM Engineering from Piscataway was awarded a contract for $254,991 to provide construction inspection services. The improvements were funded with a grant from the Federal High Safety Improvement Program administered through the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority and the NJ Department of Transportation’s Local Safety Program.
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