Hillsborough Township was recently honored at the New Jersey Alliance for Action’s “New Jersey’s Leading Infrastructure Projects” awards ceremony.
This program was created to highlight innovative, pioneering and landmark construction initiatives that greatly impact the state’s economy and to honor the businesses and organizations that work together as partners to ensure the project’s success.
“Collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and Somerset County has been instrumental in this project and we are looking forward to the continued efforts and ultimately the completion of the bypass,” said Hillsborough Township Mayor Frank DelCore.
Township officials said that the Route 206 Bypass in Hillsborough project is an example of what can be done when organizations work as a team.
According to township officials, this project involved collaboration from the NJDOT, Somerset County and Hillsborough Township.
As a result, Hillsborough Township and the other major partners on the project were selected to receive a “New Jersey’s Leading Infrastructure Project” award in honor of that work on the Route 206 Bypass in Hillsborough project.
“This long-awaited bypass, combined with the other improvements planned for the Route 206 corridor, will help advance the township’s Town Center plans and improve mobility for residents and commuters,” said Somerset County Freeholder Director Brian D. Levine.
The recognition program was held at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township with 19 projects being recognized.
According to township officials, the Route 206 Bypass in Hillsborough was first considered as early as the 1970s, as the community began to develop. Officials said that it remained only a concept until the early 2000s, but near the end of 2006, the NJDOT was called to remove the “no-build” scenario from the Bypass plan.
Following the necessary environmental studies, officials said that in June 2007, the “no-build” scenario was lifted from the plan and an official design was presented to the Hillsborough Township Committee.
By August 2010, township, local and state officials joined together to break ground and officially start construction of the Route 206 Bypass, mid-section.
At the time of the groundbreaking, officials noted that the planning stages for the second phase, known as “Contract B,” had an estimated start date of 2012. However, by March 2012, the NJDOT confirmed that the Bypass project timeline would exceed what was originally anticipated, however, they also reaffirmed their commitment to the completion of the project, according to officials.
On July 18, 2013, Gov. Chris Christie signed into law a bill officially renaming the Route 206 Bypass to the “Peter J. Biondi Bypass” in honor of the late Assemblyman and Hillsborough Mayor Peter J. Biondi. An official dedication and road opening occurred later that same year.
Officials said that construction of the final phase of the Bypass will begin in the Spring of 2019, with the anticipated completion in 2020. According to officials, the aimed purpose of this project is to improve safety and reduce congestion through the township with the completion of the Route 206 Hillsborough Bypass and the subsequent widening of Route 206 North of the Bypass.