Patience wearing thin after NJ delays Route 206 project in Hillsborough
HILLSBOROUGH – Township residents and Central Jersey drivers have waited patiently for decades for the state to complete improvements to Route 206.
That patience is finally beginning to wear out.
The township's Economic and Business Development and Sustainability Office has launched a petition asking the New Jersey Department of Transportation to resume work on widening the heavily traveled highway to four lanes from Doctor's Way to Valley Road. There also was hope that the remainder of the highway widening from Valley Road to Brown Avenue would become a reality sometime this decade.
The township is asking business owners to sign the petition.
Work on the project was halted in April after the DOT ended its contract with Konkus Co., the contractor.
Konkus has in turn sued the DOT.
And the date for the completion of the project, once set for 2024, is now sometime in 2026.
Businesses along that stretch of Route 206 are struggling as the project stagnates, township officials say.
The businesses are frustrated they can't plan ahead because they don't know when the work will be done. They also say they're hurting because customers can't see their signage.
And customers are frustrated because they have trouble navigating to businesses through construction signs and barriers.
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"We're trying to do anything possible to help move the project forward,” said Economic and Business Development and Sustainability Director Zuzan Karas.
Mayor Shawn Lipani has sent a letter to the DOT reiterating how critical the project is to Hillsborough and the impact it would have on township residents and businesses, as well as the traffic that travels the highway every day.
Lipani, also reached out to state Sen. Andrew Zwicker, D-Somerset, and Assemblyman Roy Frieman, D-Somerset, a township resident, asking them to intervene with the DOT on Hillsborough's behalf.
The petition states:
"As you may be aware, the Route 206 Widening Project, aimed at improving our town's infrastructure and enhancing the quality of life for residents and businesses, has been temporarily halted. This pause in construction has brought about significant challenges, affecting not only the flow of traffic but also the health, safety, and economic vitality of our town.
"We kindly ask for your support in advocating for the swift resumption of construction on Route 206. Your voice, as a respected business in our community, holds significant weight and influence. By expressing your support, you will contribute to the collective effort to ensure the successful completion of this crucial project.
"Please consider signing this petition, which calls on the relevant authorities to prioritize and expedite the continuation of construction on Route 206. Your signature will send a powerful message that our community is united in its commitment to progress and growth."
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Hillsborough urges NJ to resume Route 206 project
