By Geoffrey Wertime, Staff Writer
ROBBINSVILLE — Construction of a sewer extension aimed at encouraging commercial development on the south side of Town Center began this week, causing changes in the traffic pattern on Washington Boulevard.
The new, temporary pattern began Monday, when the northbound lane of Washington Boulevard was closed from Union Street to the entrance of the 1 Washington Boulevard complex, according to a township press release. Between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Robbinsville police were expected to be directing traffic on the southbound side of the road. At other times, the road is scheduled to be closed, with cars detoured.
This phase of the project is expected to last through tomorrow, Friday, after which the construction will move down the street, closing the same northbound lane of Washington Boulevard between Route 33 and Union Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The southbound lane will be converted into two-way traffic, separated by safety cones.
Local businesses along Washington Boulevard voiced concern last week that the construction would adversely affect them. Ira Guttman and Bernadette McTamney of Take 5 Gourmet Café sent a letter Sept. 15 to stores in the Foxmoor Shopping Center claiming that the township planned to close the road completely for “four to five weeks” without talking to the businesses that would be affected.
”There was obviously no regard for the stores in this center when planning this construction,” the letter stated.
That message was followed up by another two days later which described the current plan. “We believe this is a fair solution for all,” it read.
In the township’s press release, dated Sept. 19, Mayor Dave Fried said the township worked with the business owners to keep the road open. “However, this plan will require cooperation and patience from all drivers in the area.”
Officials previously said the sewer lines are being put in place to encourage economic development in an area that might otherwise have difficulty attracting developers. Township Engineer Jack West said Robbinsville needed to build the sewer line itself because it would have been cost-prohibitive for any single developer. The township will be reimbursed by developers as they build, with rates based on their estimated sewer flow.

