How
will motorists learn about changing traffic patterns?
NJDOT
will provide information on variable message signs
in the travel corridor and to radio traffic services.
Motorists may go online at www.njcommuter.com
or
call 1-877-NJROADS for information on this project.
A
traffic camera will
transmit existing conditions on the web.
What
can motorists do to avoid construction hassles?
If
possible, motorists should consider altering their work
route or hours, forming carpools and vanpools, taking
public transit or telecommuting, even if only for part
of the work week.
Free
assistance with these alternatives is available from
Keep
Middlesex Moving, Inc. (KMM), Middlesex County's
transportation management association (TMA). Contact
KMM at eprevite@KMM.org
if you work in Middlesex County. Commuters from other
counties can obtain similar TMA
assistance from www.njcommuter.com
or call 1-800-245-POOL.
What
will NJDOT do to minimize motorist hassles?
The
contractor will be required to keep the existing number
of lanes in operation throughout the project during
peak travel periods and to alert Traffic Operations
to changing traffic patterns with 72 hours notice to
post on variable message signs and www.njcommuter.com.
There
will be a few occasions when traffic must be detoured
off Route 1 for short periods of time. These unavoidable
and planned exceptions will take place between 11 pm
and 5 am and posted in advance on the variable message
signs, the web and radio traffic reports.
An
emergency towing service is provided for in the contract.
Local
police will direct traffic in conjunction with State
Police to facilitate emergency vehicles through the
project.
The two traffic signals at the Routes 1/130 intersection
are preempted to the North Brunswick Police Department
to help emergency response vehicles move through the
area and will remain so during construction.
How
will the contractor close lanes?
Since
the new interchange will be built over the existing
interchange, temporary closures and/or diversion of
the existing traffic patterns will take place.
Lanes
on Routes 1 and 130 may be closed 9 am-3 pm as needed.
Most
of the existing traffic moves will be maintained via
re-routing traffic within the project limits. Most closures
will be for only short periods of time, closing and
re-opening systematically as construction progresses.
Traffic
will be stopped to set beams on Route 1 for new structures
for 15-minute periods from 11 pm-5 am. There may be
a detour.
What
are motorist-friendly new features in this project?
The
existing traffic signal on Route 1 will be replaced
by an overpass.
New
direct connecting ramps will safely service the traffic
between Route 1 and Route 130.
Traffic
movements between roads will be redesigned to provide
safer access to adjacent business, community and residential
locations.
Four
new bridges will move traffic more efficiently:
-
Route 130 southbound over Route 1
-
Route
130 northbound over Route 1
-
Route
1 flyover southbound to Route 130 southbound
-
Frontage
Road Bridge northbound access to businesses along
northbound Route 1 and Milltown Road.
Noise
wall construction along the ramp from Route 1 southbound
to Georges Road (Route 171) westbound will reduce noise
levels to an adjacent apartment complex.
Why
are we doing this work?
The
existing road geometry, increased volume and traffic
signal contribute to a significant and growing number
of accidents on Route 1, Route 130 and Georges Road
(Route 171).
The
current traffic delays during AM and PM peak hours extend
a half mile in all directions of the intersection.
Did
local officials and residents participate in the planning?
This
project was designed in cooperation with Middlesex County
officials, the municipalities of North Brunswick and
Milltown. Residents participated in the Information
Centers held by NJDOT during the planning stages. This
project reflects input from local residents. Public
meetings were held on November 28, 2001 after the contractor
was hired.
Is
there any transportation engineering technique we are
using for the first time in New Jersey?
Yes.
This is the first modified single point intersection
in New Jersey, constructed on structure over Route 130.
Its purpose is to separate local from expressway traffic.
A
single point intersection combines two separate diamond
ramp intersections into one large one. Signalization
of one major intersection simplifies coordination on
the main road and can significantly increase traffic
carrying capacity compared with a conventional diamond
interchange.
The
principal operational feature is that only one signalized
intersection is required in the intersection through
which all four left turns operate outside of each other.
The conventional intersection has opposing left turns
operating inside one another.
This
technique proves effective and valuable in areas that
have high volumes of traffic and restricted right of
way. It is growing in popularity in use across the nation.
Who
is the Resident Engineer?
Tony
Bene is the NJDOT Resident Engineer who will oversee
the day to day construction activities. NJDOT staff
will be on the job during all construction activities.
Who
is the contractor?
George
Harms Construction Company of Farmingdale, NJ.
For transit,
ridesharing information, call:
Keep
Middlesex Moving
1-800-245-POOL
or
New Jersey Department of Transportation
1-877-NJROADS