Route 206 Widening Project Update: Some Work Resumes In Hillsborough

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Some work has resumed on the $41 million federally-funded project to widen Route 206 after the New Jersey Department of Transportation(NJDOT) terminated its contract with Konkus Corporation, said Hillsborough Mayor Shawn Lipani.

Lipani read a letter to residents during the June 13 Committee meeting from NJDOT with an update on the project.

Weather permitting, the NJDOT crews themselves will be on site to perform work at the following intersections:

• Resurface intersections at Rute 206 and Valley Road, and Route 206 and Triangle Road
• Reset existing utilities to make sure they are at grade with the pavement
• Reset the inlets to ensure proper drainage
• Perform regular street sweeping

"Neither NJDOT nor [Berkley Surety] wants to delay the project further and both are taking all necessary steps required in the process of taking responsibility for the completion of this project from Konkus Corporation and placing the responsibility with the surety," read the letter. "Please be assured that NJDOT takes the safety of Hillsborough residents and the state of NJ with the utmost importance."

Lipani thanked Assemblyman Roy Freiman and Senator Andrew Zwicker for working with the township to help get NJDOT back working on the project.

"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."

Lipani noted that the letter adds that if anyone has questions or concerns, they 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.

The NJDOT later terminated its contract with Konkus Corporation in May. Read More: Route 206 Widening Project Halted In Hillsborough

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