Ground Broken For New Route 1&130 Interchange
State Transportation Commissioner James Weinstein today joined local and county officials for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the Route 1 and Route 130 Interchange Reconstruction Project in North Brunswick, New Jersey
Under the federally-funded $83 million project, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) will remove the existing traffic signal, remnants of the former circle and intersection of two major regional routes and replace them with a flyover directly connecting Route 1 south and Route 130 south.
"Congestion and traffic delays cost our state economy millions each year in wasted productivity, as well as quality time with family and friends," said Acting Governor Donald T. DiFrancesco. "By re-designing the Route 1 and Route 130 interchange, we will reduce chronic backups along this important corridor and in the process make it safer for the 130,000 motorists who travel through it each day."
The project also includes four new bridges, noise walls, improved drainage and lighting, and the redesign of adjacent roadways to improve access to business, community and residential locations.
"In a state known for transportation `firsts' this project will feature the first single point urban interchange in New Jersey, " said Commissioner Weinstein. "This new engineering technique, which is growing in use across the nation, allows for separation of local and expressway traffic and is proving to be an effective way of moving traffic efficiently in high volume areas."
Working with the contractor, NJDOT will make every effort to expedite construction and minimize impacts to the traveling public. Most of the work in the existing roadway will occur at night and during off-peak hours. Road closures and traffic diversions will be coordinated with local officials and announced in advance to allow motorists to alter travel routes
NJDOT will deploy 12 variable message signs all along the Route 1 and Route 130 corridors to alert motorists to changing traffic patterns associated with construction. Commuters can also view "real time" travel conditions on Route 1 and Route 130 during construction by going on njcommuter.com.
George Harms Construction of Howell, NJ was awarded the construction contract on November 16th for $53.1 million. The contract includes a $1.7 million bonus clause for the contractor if the project is completed six months before the May 2003 completion date
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