Borough, Township officials oppose Millstone Bypass project

In a joint meeting between Princeton Township and Princeton Borough officials Monday, local leaders expressed opposition to the state's proposed Millstone Bypass project.

Princeton Borough Mayor Marvin Reed conceded in an interview yesterday that traffic is a problem in the Princeton area, but he does not believe the New Jersey Department of Transportation's plan to create the proposed Millstone Bypass will be successful in alleviating traffic.

The controversial project would eliminate four traffic signals along U.S. Route 1, facilitating traffic flow along the highway and making it safer, according to a department of transportation report.

The project would involve the construction of a two-lane road extending from the area near the intersection of Washington Road and the Amtrack rail line. The road would cross U.S. Route 1 and end where Washington Road crosses the Delaware and Raritan Canal.

Both Princeton mayors said they foresee problems with the project.

"The D.O.T. proposal will make east-west traffic worse," said Reed. He said the project would result in the concentration of east-west traffic along certain roads, adding he believes traffic ought to be more evenly dispersed along east-west roads like Alexander Street, Washington Road and Harrison Road.

"Our community thinks [the bypass] is not in their best interest," said Princeton Township Mayor Phyllis Marchand.

Both mayors said they are concerned about the negative impact the bypass could potentially have on the surrounding environment.

Reed said consultants hired by Princeton Township and Princeton Borough have reported the Millstone Bypass would have adverse environmental effects on the canal, the Millstone River and area wetlands. This view contradicts an earlier environmental assessment by the state that supported the plan.

Marchand said the department of transportation has recently adopted a new philosophy that is more concerned about "context-sensitive design." She said this means that the environment, historical areas and sites and social impact of a new road all need to be considered before construction begins. Marchand added that she believes accomplishing such goals would involve the exploration of other options.

Reed agreed, saying, "There are alternatives that should be better studied."

Reed added he hopes the University will assist area officials in coming to a conclusion to what plan would best serve the community.

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"I hope and expect that the University will take an open approach and will be willing to participate in this process in determining what a better final design might be," he said.

Reed said an environmental impact statement — ordered by former N.J. Gov. Christie Whitman — is being prepared and should provide a more comprehensive analysis of the situation.

The study might not be ready for two years, but Reed said "waiting would be better than doing the wrong thing."