Congressman Kean Visits 'Abandoned' Route 206 Widening Project

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. visited the halted Route 206 widening project in Hillsborough and spoke with impacted business owners on Friday.

Hillsborough Mayor Shawn Lipani expressed that he was happy for Kean's visit to "the abandoned Route 206 widening project that has cast a shadow over our community for far too long."

"His visit highlights the urgency of addressing this issue, allowing him to see firsthand the health and safety concerns we are experiencing, as well as the impact it has made on our local businesses. We hope his insights will help us find a way forward and that we have his support in advocating for the completion of this crucial project," said Lipani.

The $41 million federally-funded project to widen Route 206 came to a halt in May after the New Jersey Department of Transportation terminated its contract with Konkus Corporation.

Since then the Township has been working with the NJDOT in an effort to restart the construction work.

Hillsborough Township’s Economic and Business Development Director Zuzana Karas also spearheaded the circulation of a petition among the Hillsborough businesses who are impacted with hopes of getting NJDOT to restart the project again. Read More: Petition Pushes To Restart Route 206 Widening Project In Hillsborough

A total of 145 signatures were collected from local businesses and their supporters, according to the township.

Kean joined Hillsborough Mayor Shawn Lipani, Committee James Ruh, Township Administrator Anthony Ferrera, Economic and Business Development Director Zuzana Karas, and Engineering Director Tom Belanger on a tour of the unfinished construction site along Route 206.

Township officials highlighted the incomplete roadwork, including disruptions to traffic flow, health and safety concerns, and the difficulties faced by local businesses due to limited accessibility.

Kean also spoke with local business owners on the impacts to them.

"Completing this road construction project is not just a matter of convenience; it's about ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents and the prosperity of our local businesses," stated Committeeman Jim Ruh.

Following the visit, Kean sent a letter to NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti urging that the department take all necessary steps to restart construction on the Route 206 Widening Project.

"The pause in the Route 206 widening project is dramatically impacting Hillsborough businesses and residents," said Kean, Jr. "There are real challenges as a result of this delay, from increased traffic congestion to concerns about safety and the local economy. It's vital that we bring together a multi-level government approach to ensure NJDOT resumes and completes this project."

Read the full text of the letter HERE.

Kean, Jr. is serving his first term in the US House representing the 7th District of New Jersey, which is comprised of parts of Union, Somerset, Morris, and Sussex Counties, and all of Hunterdon and Warren Counties. Kean is a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.

Route 206 Widening Project

Murphy and other officials broke ground on April 27, 2021, on the $41 million federally-funded project to widen Route 206 between Doctors Way and Valley Road in Hillsborough. Read More: Officials Break Ground On Hillsborough Route 206 Widening Project

The road-widening project was to create two travel lanes in each direction of Route 206 from Doctors Way and Valley Road which will enhance safety and ease traffic congestion. Currently, the highway only has one travel lane in each direction in this section.

The project also included the construction of a new median barrier which will eliminate left turns to and from properties located along the highway and direct turns onto newly signalized intersections and jughandles.

The project was to be completed in three stages with most construction activities being performed at night to reduce the impact to the public. The project was expected to be completed in the summer of 2024.

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