To the editor:
Today, I would like to address an issue that is affecting most of the population of Hillsborough.
Currently the bypass in Hillsborough on Route 206 has stalled. It was my understanding that the Route 206 Bypass was to be completed in three phases. We currently use one that is open to traffic — phase 2 of the bypass — which goes from Hillsborough Road to Amwell Road.
The third section, or phase 3, was started and stopped nearly one year ago. This is the section that would go from Hillsborough Road to, I believe, Mountain View Road at Route 206.
Perhaps funding was the issue, or a variety of other reasons that we are not aware of, as to why it was stopped. Many taxpayer dollars went into the halted third phase only to see it growing grass or, at this moment, covered with snow.
Phase 1 is to go from roughly Old Somerville Road to Amwell Road. This phase is not even close to beginning.
The traffic being caused from all the building of new and improved developments is suffocating the ability to get from one end of town to another. We have seen the addition of traffic lights on Route 206, and bigger businesses and restaurants, yet we still use a one-lane-in-each-direction road to get access to one of the busiest and most congested areas in the state.
Quality of life includes, in my opinion, not sitting in traffic for 30 minutes to travel 7-10 miles during traffic hours of roughly now 3:30 to 7 p.m. Saturdays are nearly as bad, unfortunately.
Something needs to happen. Route 206 is a major artery in our roadway system and right now that artery is severely congested!
Justin Canica
Hillsborough
