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P.O. Box 600
Trenton, NJ
Contact: Joe Dee or Tim Greeley
609-530-4280
RELEASE: August 18, 2010
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NJDOT breaks ground on
Route 206
Bypass in Hillsborough
Project is designed to improve safety and
promote
economic development
(Hillsborough) - New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today joined Hillsborough Mayor Frank DelCore and others
to break ground on the long-awaited Route 206 Bypass in Hillsborough Township, Somerset County.
The bypass will shift through traffic onto a new 3.6-mile section of Route 206 to the east of the existing highway between Mountain View Road and Old
Somerville Road, creating opportunities for the development of a town center along the current Route 206.
"The bypass will improve safety and reduce congestion by shifting traffic away from a corridor that is well-suited for local economic development
plans," NJDOT Commissioner James Simpson said. "Local and regional residents will benefit."
Officials broke ground today on what will be the middle section of the bypass, between Hillsborough Road and Amwell Road. Another contract will be
awarded to connect the new roadway to Route 206 near Mountain View Road at the southern limit of the project and near Old Somerville Road to
the north.
"We are very happy to see the Route 206 Bypass project come to fruition. The bypass is an integral part of our Economic Development and Town Center
Plan, as it will help establish a "downtown" economic area and boost local business. It is also a vital road for those who commute in and out
of town," said Mayor DelCore.
NJDOT's contractor, Carbro Inc., has already established a staging area along Hillsborough Road, deploying advance construction warning signs,
clearing the site, and installing fencing along the alignment of the new highway. All lanes on Route 206 within the project limits will remain open
during construction. Access to residential properties will be maintained at all times. Access to commercial properties will be maintained during
normal business hours.
This project will also replace the existing Hillsborough and Homestead Road bridge decks over the CSX railroad. The bridge deck repair work will
require closures of Hillsborough Road and Homestead Road over CSX for approximately 6 months. The closures on Hillsborough Road and Homestead Road
will not occur at the same time. Traffic for both the Homestead and Hillsborough Roads closures will be detoured along the existing Route 206, Amwell
Road and Willow Road. Advance notification will be provided before each closure.
The $43 million "Contract A' will construct the center portion of the new bypass between the Amwell Road and Hillsborough Road intersections in
Hillsborough Township. This portion of the bypass will feature one travel lane in each direction. NJDOT anticipates completion of 'Contract A' in early 2013.
The second contract, 'Contract B', is currently in design.
The completed bypass will be a limited-access highway, which means that there will be no driveways to or from the adjoining properties. All access to
the highway will be from the intersecting local roadways.
NJDOT anticipates opening the bypass to traffic in late 2015.
Variable message signs will be installed around the site to inform motorists of pending construction and temporary lane closures necessary for
night time intersection work. Hillsborough Township police will be utilized as necessary to assist with traffic control. Real time travel and
construction information is available online at www.511nj.org.
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