Townspeople oppose changes to Route 1

In addition to eliminating left turns off of Route 1, the proposal would close two existing jughandles on Washington Road and Harrison Street and create two larger ones. One traffic light on U.S. 1 at Fisher Place will be eliminated, while another will be added. The plan, still in its “infancy stage,” is being pitched to Princeton, Lawrence and West Windsor to gauge interest, Councilwoman Jo Butler explained. The NJDOT will make the final decision about whether to implement the proposal.

Princeton residents have expressed much opposition to the plan, calling it a “disaster,” “ridiculous” and a poor expenditure.

Princeton resident Josh Wilton, a realtor who also works in the town, noted that a pilot program implemented last year to test traffic changes drastically increased commute times in Princeton. The program was cut short after nine weeks due to unintended impacts on the “quality of life” of West Windsor residents, according to NJDOT spokesman Joseph Dee.

With increased travel times in a “commuting culture,” real estate prices are going to be affected, Wilton explained. He said the pilot program increased his commute time between Princeton Junction and the town, a distance of a couple miles, from 12 to 42 minutes.

The redirection of traffic to Alexander Road is a major point of contention of the concept plan, as critics charge that it would create an inundation of incoming traffic to the University on a single road.

West Windsor resident Eric Payne, a member of a citizens group called Smart Traffic Solutions, described this plan as “pilot program 2.0,” referencing the past year’s failed pilot plan to make changes on Route 1. Payne expressed concern for residents’ safety under the new plan, saying that last year’s nine-week pilot program resulted in 10 documented accidents. “The plan puts an entire neighborhood in harm’s way,” Payne said.

The funding necessary for NJDOT to implement the concept plan is roughly $35 million dollars, Dee said. He explained that much of that funding would go to reallocating utility lines.

Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert said that there is a “window of opportunity” to make changes that could ease traffic congestion, as NJDOT Commissioner James Simpson wants to undertake this project now. Lempert explained that this concept plan should be thought of as one of two phases to approach existing traffic problems on Route 1. The second phase, Lempert said, would potentially include further changes in the next 20 or 30 years to eliminate the overcrowding.

Lempert, as well as numerous councilmen and town residents, said that the ideal, but most expensive solution to Route 1 traffic issues, would be to create an overpass or underpass to ease congestion. However, she said an overpass would not be a feasible economic solution. Expressing her support for some aspects of NJDOT’s current concept plan, Lempert added, the “perfect can’t be the enemy of the good.”

Butler described the concept plan as a “short-term solution.” Butler expressed concern that traffic on Alexander Road would already be heavier than usual in the coming months due to the construction of the Arts and Transit Neighborhood.

Butler said she hopes that NJDOT and local communities will look to smaller and more “impactful” changes that could improve traffic congestion at low cost. As an example, she cited the recent widening of the Harrison traffic intersection as a “small tweak” that has had a positive impact on the community.

Princeton Councilman Patrick Simon also expressed much criticism of the concept plan, saying that the elimination of one traffic light and addition of another makes no positive change. Simon said he appreciates NJDOT’s efforts to get members of local communities involved in discussions regarding this proposal, but ultimately said the plan is “suboptimal.”

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Lempert said the ultimate goal, in the best interest of both the town and the University, is to maintain a traffic balance between Alexander, Washington and Harrison roads. Lempert noted that NJDOT is still discussing the plan, and that it has no funding for implementation as of yet.

The municipal councils of West Windsor, Lawrence and Princeton have held public meetings to discuss potential changes on Route 1 with residents and will report back to Simpson with feedback, Lempert said. If NJDOT were to go through with this plan, it would have a maximum of $40 million to spend on the project, she said.