New Road-Route 1 Intersection Project Targeted for Summer Completion
Other Route 1 intersection improvement projects for Ridge Road, Henderson Road and Deans Lane on hold until funding is available.
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An improvement project at one of South Brunswick's troublesome Route 1 intersections is expected to be completed by this summer, while the other intersections along the clogged roadway will have to wait.
Township officials said the New Jersey Department of Transportation expects to finish an improvement project at New Road and Route 1 by the summer, but work to improve intersections at Route 1 and Ridge Road, Henderson Road and Deans Lane, still awaits state funding.
"There's no doubt the DOT has these changes to make, they just ran out of money," said Mayor Frank Gambatese. "To do all of those intersection improvements will cost between $75 and $100 million, and they don't have that kind of funding. So if we can at least get New Road done this year I'll be happy."
The approximately $8.5 million project will reconfigure the jughandle at the intersection of Route 1 and New Road on the northbound side. The project will move the jughandle outlet further back towards the middle of New Road in the direction of Route 522 to allow improved access for motorists.
Gambatese added the township is hopeful the upgrade to the Route 1 intersection with Ridge Road will move forward within the next 18 months. The $2.2 million project is expected to alleviate the constant flooding issues that affect the intersection during periods of heavy rainfall.
"Ridge Road has drainage problems that have to be solved because it floods down there all the time," Gambatese said.
While intersection improvements would help reduce some traffic issues, officials said the project really just serves as a band aid until the state finally commits to widening Route 1 in South Brunswick.
It's been estimated that in order to expand Route 1 into three lanes on both sides of the 6.7 miles the roadway runs through South Brunswick, it would cost anywhere from $300 to $500 million dollars. The township has been waiting since the mid-1980's for that project to move forward.
"There will always be a problem with the various towns along the Route 1 corridor because they look at their own needs first and that's the way it is," Gambatese said. "Everybody has to take care of their own town, but there will never be major improvements in traffic until these bottlenecks along the corridor are taken care of by wideneing Route 1."
Tugwalla
12:32 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
So Gambatese supports a project that wastes $2million to prevent a puddle forming on route 1 a few times a year but does nothing to alleviate THE problem...TRAFFIC!
Another example of government waste and public officials who don't understand that it is taxpayers money being wasted on projects that do nothing but keep a few union and state workers busy for a few weeks!
catherine
12:23 am on Sunday, March 10, 2013
I agree! I think that traffic is a bigger issue than flood control in that area.... and the money could be used in a better way.
BD
5:29 pm on Wednesday, May 1, 2013
I agree the money should not be spent on just the water issue, but the jughandles around there are just an abortion of traffic. The money will be well spent, IF it is going to improve the intersection to the state it will be in when the eventual/presumed widening happens. If it is only temporary, and the intersections would have to be completely RE-REbuilt when the full widening happens, then yes, just skip it for now. But if this part of the project can be done now, then it should be.
Moondance
10:45 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
I agree with this jughandle. I use it all the time and it's worth the money.
Drediock
8:36 am on Wednesday, May 1, 2013
I agree as well. problem is the design the are using wont do anything to fix the problem. Its the same basic design that already doesnt work. They are simply moving it a few more feet down the road with will in the end result in the same exact problem. Only a few more feet down the road.
To really fix it. there needs to be a jughandle that goes around the new bank pad built on the northbound side. Same thing on the opposite side. The exit to cross Rt 1 on new road needs to go around the gas station. Anything less will do nothing to fix the problem. Only to move it to a location where it will be no less of a problem
Moondance
10:45 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
Rt 1 is used by the trucks to avoid paying toll on the NJT. They use Rt 1 to get onto I-295 and it backs up Rt 1. Specially when they take up both lanes.Those 18 wheelers take too long to gain speed. We should have a no trucks in left lane rule on Rt 1 from New Brunswick to I-295 merge. It doesn't help the traffic jams but will have a better flow of traffic.
catherine
12:23 am on Sunday, March 10, 2013
Being that trucks make more damage to roads due to their weight, trucks should be charged to travel on smaller routes, with the advent of an additional tax in the form of a sticker like they have in Europe. It's not fair to the rest of us that they congest Route 1 like Moondance says.
Drediock
8:36 am on Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Many dont realize it but the trucks are technically arent supposed to even be in the left lane to begin with.
BD
5:29 pm on Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Drediock, that rule is only for roads that are 3 lanes wide. If it is two lanes wide, trucks may use either lane.
catherine
12:23 am on Sunday, March 10, 2013
Like Moondance, I also used the jughandle weekly, which has sorely needed some major improvements! At times to make a left there would be impossible! And not to mention the non-quality of the paving, with cracks and holes to put dents into tires...I look forward to a renewal in this area as a long-time resident!
catherine
3:31 pm on Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Kudos to the Township who finally has smoothed out the holes on New Road. The pavement looks fantastic and was actually a JOY to drive over today!!! Now I eagerly await the new jughandle which I think will help immensely....rather than drivers making a left turn cutting off traffic in both areas, right at the light!