NJDOT Seeks to Improve Route 202/206 and 287 Merge

Concerns about the merge from I-287 South onto Route 202/206 South near Commons Way are often commonplace among drivers in that area—and the New Jersey Department of Transportation is now looking into a way to fix it.

Representatives with the NJDOT held a meeting Wednesday to show off plans for an acceleration lane on Route 202/206 South where it merges with the exit ramp from I-287 South.

“We started with a program statement a couple years ago, and found there were a lot of accidents from the merge there,” said Joshua Idowu, program manager with the NJDOT. “Then we did a traffic study and worked with Bridgewater engineers and the county to see what might reduce the accidents and improve movement there.”

Both roads are owned by the state.

According to Bernie Boerchers, consultant with the NJDOT, the preliminary plans are for an acceleration lane so the two areas can merge together more safely.

“It reduces the speed differential, and we will be widening the area,” he said.

And in addition, Boerchers said, the NJDOT is looking to redirect traffic away from that area by providing signs at multiple points along Route 202/206 with suggestions of alternate routes.

“We want to direct people to I-287 South so they don’t have to weave across,” he said. 

The proposed acceleration lane would be about 550 feet in length, in addition to a 720-foot taper. To complete the project, the NJDOT would be required to widen the road into the grass median along Route 202/206 South, in addition to minor curb and drainage modifications.

Signs are being proposed for about five different locations along I-287 and Route 202/206 to provide advanced warning and direct drivers away from the merge on Route 202/206. One of the signs will catch Route 202/206 the first time it hits I-287.

But township administrator Robert Bogart said they are asking for one change to the sign plans, namely to not have one that is proposed for Foothill Road.

“We feel the sign directing traffic down Foothill Road to the mall is unacceptable,” he said, adding that it would bring too much traffic to that area. “So that sign is off the table.”

The estimated start time for the project is spring 2013, and it is expected to cost about $500,000, which will be paid for by the state.

“Right now, we are at the preliminaries of the design,” Idowu said. “We have concept development, and we are letting the public know what we are doing to get feedback. Then we do the design stage, which will take a year. Then we do the drawings.”

Idowu said this project itself was initiated by the township, which had brought the road and its dangers to the attention of the NJDOT.

“We usually have one or two accidents a day there, especially in rush hour,” said Bridgewater Township Police Officer John Mitzak. “We have brought this up with the NJDOT before.”

Drivers are usually traveling about 50 miles per hour down Route 202/206, then others are going about 55 miles per hour down I-287, Mitzak said.

“And four lanes turn into two,” he said.

Bridgewater Township Officer Paul Payne said drivers have to anticipate other vehicles when they are in that area, and always be prepared to stop.

“Everyone knows the roads in New Jersey are not made for the traffic,” he said. “They are outdated.”

Bridgewater Township Mayor Patricia Flannery said she has seen the issue with driving in that area herself many times.

“It’s a place that hundreds of residents complain about,” she said. “I think this change will be appreciated by the residents. It’s not an enormous fix, but it will make it better.”

Bogart said he believes this change will force thru traffic to stay to the left when driving down Route 202/206 South.

“There are a lot of rear-end accidents because people can’t negotiate the merge,” he said. “So anything encouraging the thru traffic to keep moving is helpful.”