The concept development study is part of a five-phase plan to reconfigure Route 206 from Route 68 in Mansfield to Route 30 in Hammonton.
By:David Koch
A state Department of Transportation study will focus on a 31-mile stretch of Route 206, including proposals to alleviate traffic problems at several intersections in Mansfield and Springfield townships.
The concept development study is part of a five-phase plan to reconfigure Route 206 from Route 68 in Mansfield to Route 30 in Hammonton. The plan will update Route 206 to handle projected traffic increases for the next 25 years.
Debbie Kingsland, project engineer for the DOT, said in a phone interview Tuesday the study will look at safety issues, traffic issues and congestion along Route 206. Ms. Kingsland said DOT officials are hoping to meet with Mansfield and Springfield officials sometime in January.
"What we’re doing is taking a look at a whole stretch of road and seeing about solutions," said Ms. Kingsland.
Ms. Kingsland said the DOT already has already come up with several proposals to remedy intersections in Mansfield and Springfield townships.
One proposal would be to realign Mansfield Road East and West and put a traffic light at the roads’ intersection with Route 206, said Ms. Kingsland.
A middle and an upper elementary school are scheduled to be constructed on Mansfield Road East, which will increase traffic at the intersection.
"We’re going to have more buses come in and out and it could be a safety concern," said Ms. Kingsland.
Proposed changes for three Springfield Township intersections are also included in the study.
The DOT is considering adding left-turn lanes or jughandles for both intersections at Jacksonville-Jobstown and Monmouth roads. Both roads currently have stoplights.
Ms. Kingsland said the choice between a left-turn lane or a jughandle will be made during the second phase of the plan, which will determine the more feasible proposal.
"What bothered us is the records of all the accidents that have taken place on Route 670 (Jacksonville-Jobstown Road) and Route 537 (Monmouth Road)," said Springfield Mayor William Pettit.
Mr. Pettit said the township had written letters to the DOT requesting that left-turn lanes be placed at the two roads.
One early proposal would have closed cross traffic from Route 669 onto Route 206 and diverted traffic to the stoplight at Monmouth Road, before being diverted back to Route 669.
Ms. Kingsland said the DOT is now considering several other options for Route 669 besides diverting traffic, including the preferred traffic light.
"Safety is our big issue," said Ms. Kingsland. "If we can accommodate farm equipment and still be safe, then will do that."
The DOT previously held a public information session on the Route 206 study in Southampton in October.
"We’re going to be as flexible as possible until determination is made and we reach a consensus," said Alexander Brown, a regional manager for the DOT.
Mansfield Township Committeeman Kelly Shea said he was not familiar with the DOT’s study of Route 206, but hoped they would consider the possibility of a Route 206 bypass for the village of Columbus.
"We are hoping to deter truck traffic from the village of Columbus center," said Mr. Shea.
Ms. Kingsland said the DOT would consider such a proposal in its Route 206 study.