Rt. 1 project in S.B. edges up on DOT priority list

Astate project that may involve widening some parts of Route 1 in South Brunswick has moved to the top of the New Jersey Department of Transportation's (NJDOT) priority list.

The Bottleneck Relief Project targets the part of Route 1 that passes through South Brunswick from Forrestal Road to Aaron Road, the southernmost part of North Brunswick. Although the section of Route 1 involved in the project runs mostly through South Brunswick, the towns of Plainsboro and North Brunswick will also be affected.

"It's something we've been pushing for, for a number of years, but now we're number one on the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which is important," said Ron Schmalz, township spokesman.

The multiyear project is undergoing a concept development phase under the NJDOT Study and Development Program. The concept development phase includes locating Route 1 traffic deficiencies using traffic, corridor and other studies deemed necessary to address project needs for future development, according to the NJDOT website. The first phase also involves establishing a Purpose and Needs Statement for the project and concept and project alternatives.

"The existing roadway provides for two travel lanes in each direction, constricting the flow of traffic between the six lane sections to the north and south," according to the NJDOT website about the project. "The NJDOT will determine the appropriate methods to eliminate or reduce congestion and avoid severe delays,"

The tentative schedule starts with the concept development phase, occurring from now until about January 2011. The next phase will be the preliminary engineering and environmental studies phase from spring 2011 to fall 2012.

The design and construction phases will follow, but their tentative schedules have yet to be determined.

"A lot of work will be done in stages over the next several years," Schmalz said.

The state will continuously seek feedback from the three affected municipalities during the project's early stages. The first of many meetings between project consultants and representatives from affected towns was held last week.

"We had our first meeting with the consultants of the project — us, North Brunswick and Plainsboro," Schmalz said. "As a result of last week's meeting we have planned another meeting in December with the consultants."

The project is in the very early stages of development so project specifics are still uncertain, Schmalz said.

"The project may involve widening [Route 1] where possible and looking at intersection improvements as well," he said. "There's a lot that's on the table."

Intersection improvements may involve widening certain jughandles or intersections to increase traffic flow.

"We have a lot of intersections where [the NJDOT] has been out and taken traffic counts, and there's some failures in terms of the intersections causing gridlocks," he said. "In some cases, cars can't funnel through jughandles."

Although the state's bill for the project is unknown at this time, as the design has not been completed, the project could cost as much as $300 million, or more, Schmalz said.

There will most likely be public meetings held in the future to attain feedback from local residents. But as of right now the project will remain in the first developmental phase, and meetings will continue between project and engineering consultants as well as with representatives from affected municipalities.

Contact Jennifer Booton at

jbooton@gmnews.com.