by Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
The state Department of Environmental Protection has issued permits that will allow Middlesex County to complete Route 522 as an east-west highway across South Brunswick.
The county is expected to go out to bid in January on the project, which will extend the road about two miles east. It will cross Route 130 and connect with Route 535. The link with Route 535 will be about a half a mile from N.J. Turnpike Exit 8A, according to South Brunswick Mayor Frank Gambatese.
When completed, the road will provide a direct link for cars and trucks from N.J. Turnpike Exit 8A to Route 27, while connecting to Route 130 and Route 1 along the way. The state Department of Transportation has also issued permits to create a reverse jug handle at the intersection of Route 522 and Route 1, according to DOT spokeswoman Fran McCrory.
”This is something that will improve the traffic situation all throughout the township,” Mayor Gambatese said. “It’s been five years that we have been waiting on this approval.”
He said the extension will keep truckers off local roads.
”When truckers come off of the Turnpike, they will be able to jump on 522 and they will not have to go through our local roads at all,” Mayor Gambatese said. “I think we will see a big improvement in the flow of traffic.”
The completion of the project will require several acres of wetlands to be filled in along Fresh Ponds Road. In exchange for DEP approval of the construction over the wetlands the county will transfer a 54.5-plot to the state on Deans Rhode Hall Road. The land, purchased earlier this year, is formerly the location of the Dallenbach Sand Co. It will be included in the Pigeon Swamp State Park.
In addition, the township will transfer about 30 additional acres in Pigeon Swamp that it owns to the state as part of a deal.
The DEP also approved improvements to the intersection of Deans Rhode Hall and Fresh Ponds roads.
