Beekman Road and Route 27 Intersection Project Nearing Completion

At long last, the improvement project for the Beekman Road and Route 27 intersection is finally nearing completion.

Work on the project was delayed after Verizon was slow to remove wires from utility poles that were blocking the travel portion of the new roadway, according to Public Affairs Coordinator Ron Schmalz.

"They've now completed their work and the contractor is expected back next week to finish construction," Schmalz said on Friday.

The project seeks to alleviate some of the congestion issues on Beekman Road, which is regularly clogged by motorists making various turns and going to the shopping center across the street in Franklin Township. 

An estimated 3,000 cars per day travel on Beekman as a connector between Route 1 and Route 27.

The improvements include widening the intersection, an improved turn radius, and the addition of a right-hand turn lane. The intersection will also receive a new traffic signal that will include right-hand turn only lighting.

After the township went out to bond for the approximately $1 million project, the plan remained in limbo due to difficulties surrounding lighting at the intersection with the state Department of Transportation.

But after years of waiting, Schmalz said the project was nearing an end. A firm time frame was not available, but he said the work should be finished soon.