A boost to Pike Run development in Montgomery.
By:Jill Matthews
MONTGOMERY The possibility of a new design for the controversial Route 206 bypass has left some Montgomery residents cautiously optimistic that the old plan, which cuts through the Pike Run development, will get the boot.
But state officials say the project is proceeding on the timeline as planned, though documents seem to suggest otherwise.
The construction of the Route 206 bypass has been delayed until 2008 or 2009, according to a document recently released by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority.
But representatives of the state Department of Transportation insist the project is still active.
"The project is very much active in our pipeline," said Kris Kolluri, chief of staff for the DOT. "As a matter of fact, we are drawing down on $27 million for right-of-way for property to build the bypass. The reason why people aren’t seeing the allocation in fiscal year 2005 is because it was already allocated in fiscal year 2004."
Mr. Kolluri also said the DOT would consider input from all communities in the region on the design of the bypass.
The DOT’s willingness to consider alternative bypass designs is heartening to Montgomery residents.
"We are thrilled," said Jack Rotter, president of the Pike Run Master Homeowners Association. "We are trying to get the DOT to realize a lot of time has passed and a lot of conditions have changed."
Mr. Rotter is also the administrative assistant to the superintendent in the Montgomery School District.
Mr. Rotter said the DOT has agreed to review new proposals on the bypass layout put forth by the township. The township is currently in the process of discussing design alternatives it may present to the DOT for consideration.
Mr. Rotter said the designs the township is looking at are both achievable and less expensive than the design currently in place.
The current bypass alignment is a result of a 1992 settlement between the township and the DOT. Under the terms of that settlement, the DOT agreed to withhold its original plan to widen Route 206 to a four-lane road in Montgomery in exchange for the construction of the bypass.
Under that plan, Route 206 in Hillsborough would be widened from two to four lanes between Brown Avenue and Doctors Way, a distance of 2.3 miles. At that point, a new 4.3-mile bypass would begin.
While the majority of the bypass is in Hillsborough, the bypass would enter Montgomery after crossing Township Line Road. It would then cut through the Pike Run development and end at the intersection of Belle Mead-Griggstown Road, where it would connect with the existing two-lane Route 206.
Anticipated construction cost of the entire project is estimated at $101 million.
Pike Run residents and DOT officials have had a contentious relationship over the years in regard to the bypass.
DOT officials have said the plan for the bypass has been on the books for decades and residents should take issue with the Pike Run developer, not the DOT, if they are unhappy with the project.
But some residents have claimed the DOT withheld information on its plans to construct the bypass and should have considered the impact the bypass would have on the over 1,000 families who live in the development.
Some residents have also accused the DOT of discrimination because of its decision to construct the bypass through the middle of the development, separating market-rate housing on one side of the road and low- and moderate-income housing on the other.