PLAINSBORO: Engineer honored for design of intersection

By Kristine Snodgrass, Staff Writer
   The engineer who solved a traffic headache for drivers in Plainsboro has been recognized by the New Jersey Society of Municipal Engineers.
   David Samuel, an engineer with CME Associates in Parlin, was awarded first place for municipal construction projects for the design of the intersection of Dey Road and Scudders Mill Road. The winning category was for townships with a population of 20,000 or above.
   Mr. Samuel was presented the award at the society’s annual meeting held last week in Atlantic City.
   Plainsboro Mayor Peter Cantu said he was pleased with the outcome of the project.
   ”It obviously is going to be an enhancement to moving traffic through what had been a bottleneck in Plainsboro township,” he said.
   To improve flow, traffic lanes were added to accommodate peak hour traffic.
   And for those on foot, pedestrian walkway improvements were designed to provide unobstructed access to the Municipal Complex and the Village Center.
   Mayor Cantu said this is consistent with the township’s plan to accommodate pedestrians.
   ”That’s been a major focus for Plainsboro Township in all of our recent designs,” he said. “This is no exception to that.”
   The design was also praised for maintaining the rural character of the area. Landscaped islands and medians were built to beautify the area and reduce roadway maintenance.
   Mr. Samuel considered input from transportation experts that attended a workshop sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, Office of Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs, and hosted by the township.
   Funding assistance for the project was developed through a cost-sharing agreement with Middlesex County.
   Mayor Cantu said he was happy with the collaboration between the county and the township on the project.
   ”We think it came out quite nicely, frankly,” he said.