North Brunswick may take part in a congestion relief pilot project that has already seen success in South Brunswick.
Beginning last June, cars were allowed to drive on the shoulder weekdays from 6-9 a.m. and from 4-7 p.m. on Route 1 northbound and southbound from Independence Way to Raymond Road. Due to the success, the project was extended in August a half mile on the northern end from Raymond Road to Promenade Boulevard in the southbound direction during the same hours, according to information provided by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
Now, DOT is considering expanding the project through Aaron Road in North Brunswick.
“DOT met with the Central Jersey Transportation Forum and reported that the project has been a huge success,” Michael Hritz, director of Community Development for North Brunswick, said during the Feb. 12 council meeting.
“It’s had very favorable reactions [and] it’s had virtually negligible accident rates” so it is “something currently under exploration,” he said.
The area by the MainStreetNB transit village project has a converted portion of the shoulder toward Finnegans Lane, Hritz said, with plans to further extend the shoulder conversion permanently.
The goal in using the shoulder as a travel lane during peak periods is to keep traffic flowing, reduce congestion and improve safety, DOT representatives said last year. Initial data indicates the project has been successful as a growing number of drivers are using the shoulder as a travel lane during the morning and evening commute, and there has been a reduction of congestion as average speeds through the project corridor have increased in both directions, officials said.
The DOT will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of this project, which was designed to last six months. If the project continues to be successful, DOT will consider making this a permanent improvement, officials said.
Hritz said he will provide more information to the council as it becomes available.