Andrew Martins, Managing Editor
A decades-long effort to complete a Route 206 bypass through Hillsborough could come to fruition within the next few years, as state and local officials work to tie up some loose ends on the remaining two portions of the long-awaited project.
Business Administrator Anthony Ferrera said plans are currently in place for staging to begin on the northern and southern portions of the bypass by Spring 2018, with a projected completion slated for some time in 2020.
The bypass has been in the township Master Plan since 1974.
“People said this would never come and we are now bringing this to Hillsborough,” he said. “I’ve been here 27 years and people have said this will never happen and I’ve always told them ‘it’s coming.’ … We’re excited.”
Back in February, the state Department of Transportation (DOT) held a three-hour public informational session that covered the final two phases of the project. At the time, officials outlined a number of delays that slowed progress on the project, including the acquisition of 13 acres of Green Acres land from the Van Der Veer house property, the relocation of utilities and a partial redesign.
The delays largely came after Gov. Chris Christie opened the center portion of the bypass, located between Amwell Road and Hillsborough Road, in October 2013. That 1.7 mile stretch of road, now known as the Peter J. Biondi Bypass, was constructed by the Hillsborough-based Carbro Inc. to the tune of $44 million funded by the DOT.
Ferrera said the remainder of the bypass project will also be funded by the state.
Once completed, officials claim the nearly 4-mile stretch of road will ease congestion along Route 206 by shifting traffic to the east of the existing highway between Mountain View Road and Old Somerville Road. Over the years, municipal officials say that shift in traffic will allow the township to establish a town center/downtown area with opportunities for commercial development.
The next two phases will see the construction of the northern portion of the bypass, which will connect the center portion with Route 206 near Old Somerville Road. The southern portion will connect Route 206 at Mountain View Road to the existing segment of the bypass.
“I think you’re going to start seeing things move forward now, which is a great thing,” Ferrera said.
