Office of the Governor
DiFrancesco Visits Route 206 Improvement Project
Project Will Reduce Traffic Congestion on Route 206
Acting Governor Donald T. DiFrancesco visited the Route 206 Widening and Improvement Project (15J Project) today in Somerset County to highlight efforts to reduce traffic congestion for area residents.
"The bottom line for me is to ensure our citizens that no matter what road they take, it is the safest road and the least congested road possible. That is why this project is so important. It will give drivers in Somerset County a better, safer choice to get them wherever they are going," said the Acting Governor.
"Transportation is New Jersey's lifeblood. Traffic congestion is one of the top frustrations of New Jerseyans. I am committed to doing all I can to keep our transportation system pumping smoothly," said DiFrancesco
The 15J Project will improve traffic on Route 206 between Brown Avenue and Somerville Circle. Route 206 is being widened by adding an extra lane in each direction, building new structures to replace both the NJ Transit Bridge and the Raritan River Bridge and constructing a middle barrier along the entire length of the project. Intersections are also being improved with new signals and jughandles.
"This $51 million project will be done in a user-friendly fashion that will maintain traffic flow and that includes rail traffic on the NJ Transit Bridge in Raritan-Somerville and the Raritan River Bridge," said DiFrancesco.
The $51.45 million for the I 5J Project will come from the Transportation Trust Fund.
"My record in supporting transportation includes sponsoring the renewal of the Transportation Trust Fund, which focuses on reducing congestion, restoring TTF's fiscal integrity and designing a 21st century transportation policy. Throughout my career as Senate President, and now Acting Governor, I have led the effort for improving our state's transportation system," said DiFrancesco.
In 1998 DiFrancesco introduced the bill calling for Congress to provide initial funding for developing the Trans Hudson Midtown Corridor and recently he announced the allocation of $1 0 million in unspent federal transportation funds to New Jersey counties for local roadway and congestion relief projects.
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