SOUTH BRUNSWICK – The New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) will begin its pilot project of utilizing the shoulder as a travel lane during peak commuting times along Route 1 in South Brunswick on June 26.
The temporary project will allow cars to use the shoulder as a travel lane for a 1.9-mile stretch of Route 1 northbound and southbound from Independence Way to Raymond Road from 6-9 a.m. and from 4-7 p.m. weekdays, according to the DOT.
The DOT is in the process of repaving a quarter mile section of the Route 1 northbound shoulder from mile post 14.2 to mile post 14.5 and restriping Route 1 from Independence Way to Raymond Road to provide for 12-foot wide travel lanes and a minimum 1-foot wide inner shoulder, according to the statement.
Signage is being installed along Route 1 and at each driveway, changing the yield signs to stop signs, to alert and guide the traveling public about the temporary shoulder use condition. In addition, the DOT is installing closed-circuit TV cameras on utility poles along the project corridor so the shoulder can be monitored on a continual basis by the DOT and South Brunswick officials, according to the statement.
Trucks may not use the shoulder as a travel lane. Use of the shoulder will be restricted at all other times.
The anticipated duration is six months. If the project is successful, the DOT will consider making this a permanent improvement, according to the statement.
