New Road improvements on tap

by Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
   The township is continuing to pursue easements at the intersection of New Road and Route 1 in an effort to move up the start date of a state Department of Transportation intersection improvement project.
   Anthony Campisano, the assistant township attorney, is working to acquire three 10-foot easements along the southeast corner of the intersection. The acquisition of the easements would allow space for extra lanes to be added to New Road at the intersection, according to township spokesman Ron Schmalz.
   In 2006, the Zoning Board of Adjustment had approved the creation of a diner on the land from which the township is looking to purchase the easements. However, Dimitrios Dimitrakis, who had proposed the diner, has since sold the land to a private developer that has not decided what it wants to do with the property, according to Mr. Schmalz.
   Mayor Frank Gambatese said South Brunswick is trying purchase the easements because the township can work out a deal much faster than the state can, allowing the project to begin and be completed more quickly.
   Plans for intersection improvements call for widening the jug handles at New Road on both sides of Route 1 to two lanes, and widening New Road itself on both sides of Route 1 to six lanes. Drivers approaching Route 1 on New Road from either direction would find a dedicated lane for right turns, a dedicated lane for left turns and two dedicated lanes for going straight across the highway. There would be two lanes for cars going in the opposite direction, according to Mr. Schmalz.
   Mr. Schmalz said that additional improvements, like alternating the lights, are being considered. He said DOT also is considering a stop bar that would hold traffic approaching the intersection from New Road further back from the light, allowing cars coming around the jug handle to have space to pull onto New Road at the light. He said the DOT would likely make the initial widening improvements before determining if more changes are needed.
   Mr. Schmalz said that if the township is able to acquire the easements quickly, the project could begin within six months. DOT spokeswoman Erin Phalon said construction on the project is currently slated to begin in fall 2009.
   The improvements are part of a plan proposed to the township by the DOT in August 2007 to relieve congestion and improve safety on Route 1 though South Brunswick by augmenting seven intersections. Other improvements would include adding an extra lane to Wynnwood Drive at Route 1, and adding additional lighting to the intersections at Deans Lane, and Henderson, Raymond, Sand Hills and Major roads.
   At the time, the plan was proposed in lieu of widening Route 1 to three lanes on each side throughout the township, which the DOT had said it did not have enough money for.
   However, since then a study looking at the need for widening Route 1 in South Brunswick was included in the DOT s fiscal year 2009 Transportation Capital Program. The study is expected to take place between July 2008 and July 2009, and is the first step in a possible widening of the road.
   The township has been pushing for the widening of Route 1 for years, and in August 2005 successful lobbied the federal government for a $6.8 million grant, given to the DOT, for the project.
   Mayor Gambatese said he is encouraged that progress is being made on improving the traffic situation on Route 1 in South Brunswick.
   ”It is an indication that there is finally a little movement from the state to rectify some of the intersections that need improvement,” Mayor Gambatese said. “It really is a problem, the stacking lanes are too small and the lights don’t let enough cars out. These things really need to be changed in order to have traffic flow and flow safely, on both sides of Route 1.”