By Greg Forester, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR — The withdrawal of $19 million in state funds for an extension of Vaughn Drive from a 10-year transportation document could be reversed this year or in subsequent years, according to officials from the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
The draft being circulated currently — which omits the Vaughn Drive moneys — could be changed by Metropolitan Planning Organizations in the months before the program becomes permanent, DOT spokesman Tim Greely said Thursday.
Even then, the Vaughn Drive money could be reinstated to the 10-year program in future budgets, as state officials review the listings and make revisions in the future, he said.
”It can be revisited for inclusion next year once the plans for Vaughn Drive have been finalized,” Mr. Greely said.
The same document elicited alarm from township officials in recent weeks concerned about a roadway whose extension is a centerpiece of plans for a 350-acre site around the Princeton Junction train station deemed in need of redevelopment.
Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh expressed concern over the initial omission of the item last week in Township Council, and again this week in interviews.
He said he was pleased that the item could end being included in the 10-year capital program, either this year or in future years, but he said he would continue efforts in lobbying state officials to appropriate the funds for a road deemed necessary to the train station area.
”Without Vaughn Drive no transit-oriented development can happen in that area,” Mayor Hsueh said.
Concerns voiced by Mayor Hsueh that the project had been removed from the budget because of the township’s slower-than-expected redevelopment process seemed partially vindicated by DOT officials.
”We have yet to receive a uniform proposal from the township on what they want this project to be,” said Mr. Greely. “This project is not viewed as construction-ready, and therefore we were not able to dedicate funding towards the project at this time.”
Township Council members said they are preparing a resolution supporting the mayor in his efforts at lobbying government officials, which will likely be before council on Feb. 25.
Mayor Hsueh said his efforts were designed to ensure the state would be ready with the money once the township has viable plans for both the redevelopment area and Vaughn Drive.
”I will say we just have to make sure that once we finish something the state will be ready to take the next step,” Mayor Hsueh said.
