Petition Pushes To Restart Route 206 Widening Project In Hillsborough

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — When construction on the $41 million federally-funded project to widen Route 206 came to a halt Hillsborough Township was left in disarray.

Now the Hillsborough Business Association is urging business owners to sign a petition in hopes of getting the project started up again.

"This pause in construction has brought about significant challenges, affecting not only the flow of traffic but also the health, safety, and economic vitality of our town," according to the petition."We kindly ask for your support in advocating for the swift resumption of construction on Route 206. Your voice, as a respected business in our community, holds significant weight and influence."

The petition will call on the relevant authorities to "prioritize and expedite the continuation of construction on Route 206."

"The Department is in the process of taking the necessary measures to get the project restarted so it can be completed safely and in a timely manner," said an NJDOT Spokesman Stephen Schapiro.

For more information or to sign the petition click here.

Work on the project was temporarily halted after the New Jersey Department of Transportation terminated its contract with Konkus Corporation in May. Read More: Route 206 Widening Project Halted In Hillsborough

In June, some work did resume but Mayor Shawn Lipani called it a "band-aid."

"The good news is we got some work going on," said Lipani. "It, by far, does not address the scope of the project. It's strictly, as you can see, a band-aid on some areas in need of concern and immediate address. But we will take that as a positive. And hopefully, we will get some more updates." Read More: Route 206 Widening Project Update: Some Work Resumes In Hillsborough

Anyone that has questions or concerns, are asked to contact Megan Fackler with NJDOT at 609-963-1982 or Megan.Fackler@dot.nj.gov.

Route 206 Widening Project

Murphy and other officials initially 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.

A new contractor has not been hired by NJDOT as of Sept. 1.

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