Township seeks bids for flashing crosswalk lights

Roughly two weeks after a resident was struck and killed while crossing Grove Street, the township is soliciting bids for six flashing lights for pedestrian crosswalks.

Montclair plans to purchase "six rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) units for installation at various pedestrian crosswalks as needed," according to the township website.

The quotes are due on July 14 by 4 p.m. One of the conditions of the purchase order is that the lights be delivered within 60 days.

The request for bids follows the June 7 death of Mary DeFilippis, who was struck and fatally injured while crossing Grove Street at Chester Road while on an evening walk. That stretch of road is dark, according to residents, and the township has asked PSE&G to install more lighting there.

According to one resident, the driver who struck DeFilipios said she didn't see her in a crosswalk.

Each of the lights the township is purchasing "shall consist of two self-contained solar engine assemblies (includes energy management system); on-board user interface; wireless communications; batteries and solar panel; four light bars (two mounted back to back for each post) and two side-mounted pedestrian actuation assemblies (one for each post)," according to the township website.