After CBS 2 Presses County, Sign Blocking Hoboken Stoplight Taken Down

HOBOKEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Complaints from motorists about a dangerous Hoboken intersection went unanswered for days -- until CBS 2 started asking questions.

As CBS 2's Kathryn Brown reported, the views of traffic lights at three intersections just outside the Lincoln Tunnel were being blocked by the combination of new poles, stoplights and large street signs that went up last week.

"You can't see the existing light," said construction worker Frank Cifarelli. "It's blocked by the new light."

"The 14th Street sign blocks the actual light," one driver said. "I can't see when the light is going to turn green."

The intersection of 14th Street and Willow Avenue is the gateway to Hoboken, Jersey City and Union City from the Lincoln Tunnel. It is currently under construction, part of a $54 million federally funded project.

Brown drove through the intersection, following the lead of moving cars, and couldn't see that the light was green until she was underneath it and well into the intersection.

"It's dangerous," Cifarelli said. "It's not visible. It's unsafe."

The Hudson County Division of Engineering acknowledged it has received a number of complaints from drivers and residents.

A spokesperson told CBS 2, "Those big signs were put up with the expectation that the old traffic light would be taken down as the new one was energized."

But technical glitches kept that plan from coming together in sync.

But Thursday afternoon -- after CBS 2 began asking questions -- crews moved in and quickly removed the large street signs, leaving only a minor obstruction.

The Division of Engineering issued an apology Thursday and said the new lights should be active within one week.

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