Community Corner

UPDATE: 2,700 Still Without Power; Traffic Lights on Route 1 Restored

PSE&G said restoration of power to New Road and Stouts Lane is top priority at this point

6:30 p.m.

An estimated 2,700 residents are still without power as of Tuesday evening. PSE&G said their top priorities are restoring power on Stouts Lane and New Road, which could be completed by 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Power to all traffic lights has been restored on Route 1 and Route 130, which is crucial to the morning commute, as an accident occurred at Route 1 and Blackhorse Lane this morning and traffic was backed up for miles (see below).

Find out what's happening in South Brunswickwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

TRAFFIC CONDITIONS 

  • ROUTE 1 IS OPEN IN BOTH DIRECTIONS 
  • ROUTE 27 IS OPEN IN BOTH DIRECTIONS 
  • ROUTE 130 IS OPEN IN BOTH DIRECTIONS 
  • CLOSED – NEW ROAD BETWEEN RT 522 AND ROUTE 1. ANTICIPATED OPENING WEDNESDAY MID DAY 
  • CLOSED – FRIENDSHIP ROAD BETWEEN NEW ROAD AND BROADWAY ROAD
  • CLOSED – DEANS LANE BETWEEN GEORGES ROAD AND BLACKHORSE LANE 

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Find out what's happening in South Brunswickwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

12:45 p.m.

An estimated 5,000 residents of South Brunswick are still without power following the devastation of Hurricane Irene. Township officials continue to call PSE&G for an updated time schedule for power restoration, but the company has not been able to provide a firm timetable for full restoration. PSE&G has advised that some areas may be without power until Sept. 4, according to South Brunswick Police. 

There are no problems with South Brunswick's water.

Traffic is still a problem due to blocked roads and traffic lights on Route 1 being out. This morning there were multi-mile traffic backups reported along Route 1 in town.

South Brunswick Police are reporting bumper-to-bumper traffic for most of the day. Crossing over to go east to west in town is not possible at the intersections of Route 1 and New Road, Route 1 and Whispering Woods, and Route 1 and Route 522. Residents are urged to give themselves at least an extra hour of travel time.

On Monday, Gov. Chris Christie sent a letter to President Barack Obama requesting an expedited declaration of a major disaster for all of New Jersey from the federal government, in order to assist state and local governments, in addition to individually affected residents. Hurricane Irene required emergency shelters to be established in 16 counties to house nearly 16,000 evacuees, with over 700,000 residences suffering power outages, according to Governor's office.

U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) also have urged President Obama to expedite the approval of the state's request for a federal disaster declaration related to the damages sustained throughout New Jersey during Hurricane Irene. 

This will allow emergency federal assistance for individuals and businesses, as well as for state and local governments to become available for recovery and rebuilding efforts.  

“The destruction will lead to severe hardship and the costs will be so great that many residents will not be able to rebuild their lives on their own," the Senators wrote.  "In addition, Hurricane Irene caused extensive damage to public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, public parks and government facilities, and local governments will face enormous challenges as they try to rebuild. Given the severe nature of the hurricane and the extent of the damage, we ask that you immediately grant a Major Disaster Declaration for New Jersey and expedite federal recovery and rebuilding aid.”

SOUTH BRUNSWICK TRAFFIC PROBLEMS 

  • ROUTE 1 SIGNALS OUT – NEW ROAD, WHISPERING WOODS, AND ROUTE 522 
  • ROUTE 522 SIGNALS OUT – RIDGE ROAD, NEW ROAD, AND STOUTS LANE 
  • FRIENDSHIP ROAD BRIDGE WASHED OUT JUST PAST NEW ROAD. ROADWAY CLOSED. THE CLOSURE IS FROM NEW ROAD TO BROADWAY ROAD. THIS CLOSURE WILL BE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. 
  • DEANS LANE – BETWEEN GEORGES ROAD AND BLACKHORSE LANE 
  • NEW ROAD - BETWEEN ROUTE 522 AND ROUTE 1 

POWER OUTAGES (Some areas currently with no power may not appear on this list due to volume of outages. If an area without power is not listed email davy.james@patch.com)

  • DEERPARK DRIVE
  • DEERPARK NURSING CENTER
  • FRESH IMPRESSIONS
  • MONMOUTH MOBILE
  • WHISPERING WOODS
  • KENDALL ROAD
  • DEANS RHODE HALL ROAD
  • FRESH PONDS ROAD
  • RIDGE ROAD NEAR NEW ROAD
  • OAKWOOD SENIOR HOUSING
  • MILLER ROAD
  • KINGSTON – ROUTE 27 AREA
  • BROOKS CROSSING ELEMENTARY
  • CAMBRIDGE ELEMENTARY 
  • SOUTHRIDGE DEVELOPMENT
  • STOUTS LANE
  • PINTER LANE OFF SANDHILLS ROAD
  • CIL WOODS

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9:30 a.m.

Mass power outages caused by Hurricane Irene are still affecting South Brunswick and have caused major traffic backups throughout the township. Traffic lights are still out along Route 1 at the intersections of New Road, Route 522, and Whispering Woods leading to a multi-mile traffic backup.

"The township is still a disaster right now," said police spokesman Sgt. Jim Ryan. "The main problem is power outages, people are treating this like it's a normal morning rush hour, but power outages mean it's not normal. People are having a tough time getting from east to west. There are multi-mile backups on Route 1 and cars can't get where they need to get."

A traffic accident occurred this morning around 8:15 a.m. at the intersection of Route 1 and Blackhorse Lane, shutting down the intersection. The accident involved three vehicles, one of which overturned. There were minor injuries suffered.

"The problem we have is that people are driving too fast," Sgt. Ryan said. "People are treating this like there are normal conditions because it's a beautiful day. These are not normal conditions. The township is not at 100 percent. People need to give themselves at least an extra hour to get where they're going. For example, if you live in Kendall Park and you're trying to get to the municipal building, a trip that would normally take you 10 minutes is taking about 45 minutes today."

Downed trees are also causing problems on artery roads like Deans Lane and Promenade Blvd., which are shut down.

In addition to the problems on the roadways, about one-quarter of South Brunswick is still without power, with no firm timetable provided by PSE&G for restoration.

"These power outages are lasting so long that food in people's refrigerators are starting to go bad, and there's going to be a high cost for the amount of personal damage and damage to the township," Sgt. Ryan said. "The whole Kendall Road area is a disaster. Cambridge School and Brooks Crossing are still without power. Parts of Fresh Ponds Road are a disaster and have no power. The two motels on Route 1, the nursing homes, all without power."

Sgt. Ryan said the outages may last up to two weeks, but PSE&G has not been able to provide specifics.

"This is a major concern of ours especially with school starting next Tuesday," he said. "We've made numerous calls about the power trying to get a better estimate and they can't give us one."

A small bridge on Friendship Road that was washed away is also causing problems.

“We went to Friendship Road to check on a bridge that had been re-enforced with a metal plate," said Councilman John O'Sullivan. "As we approached all we saw at the bridge was a metal stanchion across the roadway, on both sides of the bridge which spanned a gushing stream.  The supports under the metal plate had collapsed, leaving a gaping hole.

"Upon further inspection, we found that the Middlesex County personnel had put up the stanchions.  However they failed to use any reflective tape, cones, signs or barrels on either side of the bridge to warn drivers of the impassable bridge.  They did place a warning signs at the intersection of Friendship and New Roads."

O'Sullivan said the bridge has been under repair for two years and the metal plate was installed as a temporary measure until the appropriate permits could be obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection for the repairs.

“South Brunswick had replaced the dull stanchions with orange reflective signs, barrels, horses and cones and yellow police line tape,” he added.  “I also had an informative discussion with a county bridge inspector. However, I would like to know when the County and the State will coordinate their efforts, get the appropriated permits, and repair the bridge.  At best the closed bridge is an inconvenience and at worst a safety hazard. After two years, it’s time to fix the bridge."

South Brunswick Police officers have worked non-stop since the storm began, putting in 16-hour shifts as the department has put all available personnel on the roads to assist with traffic problems, Sgt. Ryan said. 

"We're doing everything we can, but people need to give themselves extra time no matter where they're going," he said. "The roads are still awful and people need to give themselves at least an hour."

As of 7:30 p.m. last night, the following locations are some of the major problem areas in the township.

  • New Road between Ridge and Route 1 is still closed due to three downed poles and wires.
  • Miller Road is still closed due to trees and wires.
  • Davidson Mill Road has wires and people cannot drive through at Fresh Ponds Road.
  • Fresh Ponds road is blocked with wires and trees.
  • Rhode Hall east of Fresh Ponds is blocked with wires and poles.
  • Stouts Lane near Route 522 is blocked with trees and wires.
  • Stouts Lane at the bike path is blocked by trees.
  • Riva Ave near the dam is blocked with flood water and trees.
  • Kendall Road is blocked at multiple locations by downed trees and wires.
  • The Friendship Road bridge was washed away, Mayor Frank Gambatese said earlier Monday. Middlesex County officials were out to inspect the site today and will make its repair a priority, according to Public Affairs Coordinator Ron Schmalz.
  • Prospect Street is blocked by trees and wires.
  • Old Road is blocked by trees. Schmalz said he talked to Somerset County and the area will be made a priority.
  • New York Ave. is blocked by wires.
  • Docks Corner Road is blocked by trees, poles and wires.
  • Traffic lights are still out Route 1 and New Road.
  • Route 1 and Route 522 traffic light is still out.
  • Light is still out at Whispering Woods.
  • Pump Station 6 is experiencing significant flooding.


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