Saying that senior citizens would need roller skates to cross the intersection of Kennedy Boulevard and Sip Avenue in Jersey City, Freeholder Maurice Fitzgibbons urged the Board of Freeholders to increase the time allowed for crossing by the traffic light there. In a brief, nearly comical exchange, Fitzgibbons disputed the need for the additional time with County Engineer Bob Jasek. “Senior citizens would have to wear roller skates to get across the street in the time allotted,” Fitzgibbons said. “They have plenty of time,” Jasek countered, “unless they’re extra slow.” “They are extra slow,” Fitzgibbons said. “They’re senior citizens.” Freeholder Nidia Davila-Colon, who is recovering from a foot injury, said she has a hard time crossing that intersection. Fitzgibbons also repeated a request he made two years ago to have a left-lane turn signal installed at that intersection, calling the situation “a free for all” as people plunge across, sometimes illegally. Although he said the added signal would reduce the overall time cars had to move through the intersection, Jasek agreed the signal change was probably necessary, since traffic often gets backed up due to left-turning cars, resulting in a gridlock situation at several intersections. Jasek said Fitzgibbons’ request had not gone unheeded. The county has done a study and sent its request to the state Department of Transportation. “The state must approve any changes,” Jasek said. “But a change of 8 to 10 seconds for the left turn will reduce the time traffic will have overall. We cannot add time to that light.” Jasek said the DOT has yet to get back to the county on the matter, and that he would report to the freeholders when the state responded. Freeholder Chairman Sal Vega said if and when the state approves the request, the freeholders would then look over the issue of increasing crossing time for seniors as well.