Some parking spaces also will be affected as the New Jersey Department of Transportation continues its Route 29 drainage improvement project.
By: Linda Seida
LAMBERTVILLE Drivers need to be aware of a detour through the heart of the city and new traffic patterns as the New Jersey Department of Transportation works on another phase of its Route 29 drainage improvement project.
Some parking spaces also are affected.
"There’s a bit of confusion for some of the people coming out of the business district," said Police Director Bruce Cocuzza. "Signage is helping. It’s as good as it can be, considering. They’re moving quickly, doing a good job, but the inconvenience is inevitable. As long as people are cautious, it shouldn’t be a problem."
The DOT’s $9.4 million project is being constructed in several phases with a target completion date set for December.
The project is on track so far to be completed on time, according to Lambertville Public Works Director Paul Cronce.
"They’re moving right along pretty quickly," he said.
The work recently shifted to the section of Route 29 that approaches and fronts Lambertville Public School. It encompasses Main Street from Perry Street to Cherry Street, according to Mr. Cronce.
Northbound traffic on Route 29, also known as Main Street, has been shifted to the southbound lane from Delaware Avenue to Cherry Street.
Southbound traffic will detour west on Cherry Street, south on North Union Street and east on Coryell Street. Cherry remains a two-way street. North Union and Coryell are one-way streets during the construction.
Temporary parking is set up between Jefferson Street and Delaware Avenue.
Work is expected to be competed by the time the next school year begins, according to Mr. Cronce.
"Hopefully, this section will be accomplished before school goes back for the fall session," he said.
The next phase began June 25.
The early days were "not too confusing," Mr. Cronce said, although "there’s always a little bit of confusion the first day."
He said barricades and detour signs are helping to channel the traffic.
During the previous phase of the project, diagonal parking was temporarily set up on Main Street between York and Delevan streets. Parallel parking has returned there along the southbound lane, Mr. Cronce said.
During the current stage of construction, the diagonal parking spots are set up on the west side of Main between Jefferson and Delaware.
The project’s first phase is complete. That section stretched from Mount Hope Street to Bridge Street.
Another section very near completion, with only minor details left over, stretches between York and Perry streets.
The final phase to be completed in December stretches between Bridge and York streets.

