Rte. 1-130 interchange work to start in 2002
DOT to hold a public
information forum
in early January
NORTH BRUNSWICK — One of the worst traffic problems in Middlesex County may eventually see some improvement.
The state Department of Transportation (DOT) is in the process of finalizing design plans to improve traffic flow at the Route 1/130 interchange.
The Route 1/130 interchange has been designated as the highest priority improvement project in the county by the Middlesex County Transportation Coordination Committee, according to Tom Vigna, the township’s director of community development.
According to Vigna, the interchange is more than just a source of delays, traffic congestion and access problems.
"That area around the Route 1/130 intersection also sees a lot of accidents," said Vigna.
The project, which is expected to cost over $60 million, is slated to begin in 2002. State officials expect the project to take up to three years to complete.
DOT officials brought the working plans before the Township Council earlier in November.
A public information session, at which DOT officials will display models and be available to answer questions, is planned at the municipal building in early January, said Vigna.
Planned improvements include overpasses over Route 1 to directly connect traffic passing from Route 130 to Route 171 and from Route 171 to 130.
The overpasses would allow a free flow of traffic and eliminate many traffic lights, reducing problems with backup.
"If you are coming south on Georges Road, this would allow you to proceed across Route 1 without stopping at a light," said Vigna.
The overpasses connecting 130 and 171 would also help reduce congestion on Route 1 by allowing a free flowing traffic pattern, unimpeded by signals.
"Today, if you want to go from Route 1 south to Route 130 south, you may have to wait for several light cycles," Vigna said.
With the proposed improvements, traffic will exit Route 1 and proceed onto an exit ramp which passes above the 130 north flyover and directly onto Route 130 south.
That exit ramp will be lined with a sound wall, 500 feet long and 13 feet high, to block traffic noise for the adjacent North Brunswick Garden Apartments.
Plans will also change access to Milltown Road, Carolier Lanes and Brogan Cadillac from Route 1 north, with the construction of a new Frontage Road, which would run parallel to Route 1. Access to Milltown Road from Route 1 south would not be changed.
The project also calls for signalization of the Georges Road and Cranbury Cross Road intersection. The new traffic light would be connected to the Hermann Road and Milltown Road traffic lights in order to reduce delay, said Vigna.
Additional improvements are also planned farther south on the Route 130 corridor. These may include a possible traffic light at Independence Boulevard and closure of the median opening at Franklin Boulevard.
As the plans are finalized, staging for the project will be worked out to minimize impact on traffic congestion during the construction period, according to DOT officials.