Corrections or additions?
This letter was published in U.S. 1 Newspaper on April 7, 1999
Letter to the Editor:
On March 16, in a closed meeting, local governing officials
“reached consensus,” rejecting the most recent plan for the
Millstone Bypass and supporting the original NJDOT plan for the Bypass
(U.S. 1, March 24). In this plan, you will recall, the road swings
around through Princeton University lands, running adjacent and parallel
to the canal, to connect with Washington Road. Except for a “proposed”
extension of the road between Washington and Alexander, and Washington
Road remaining open at U.S. 1 for right turns in and out, the “consensus”
plan is the same as the original NJDOT plan revealed to the public
nearly three years ago.
This is most surprising, since as recently as last November, when
NJDOT proposed removing the connection to Washington Road, project
manager Lynn Middleton said the changes were made to address the concerns
about the elms and the D&R canal. The plan proposed at that time was,
of course, unacceptable because it placed an undue burden on Harrison
Street, so with nothing more creative to offer, NJDOT has returned
to the original plan. Major concerns still exist:
1. The Millstone Bypass connects with the N.J. Turnpike.It will connect with a widened Route 571, which in turn connects withthe Hightstown Bypass, now under construction, which connects withthe turnpike. The Millstone Bypass, far from being a “local road”is in fact a link directly with Exit 8 of the NJ Turnpike.2. The size of the roadway is still undefined. The consensusincluded the requirement that the road remain two lanes. So did theoriginal bypass design. The question remains as to how wide theselanes, and the all-important shoulders, will be. The original designshows the Millstone Bypass overpass as a mirror image of the AlexanderRoad overpass, which is very large.3. Environmental concerns have not been adequately addressed.Washington Road and the Elm Allee are now listed on the State andNational Register of Historic Places. The Historic Sites Council mustapprove any plan that adversely affects this site. There are NJ Stateregulations concerning impacts to the D&R Canal, also an historicsite. Yet, the new proposed connector with Alexander poses twice thethreat to the trees and the Canal, as the road will cross WashingtonRoad and run for the full length of the towpath between Washingtonand Alexander. Federal law requires that an Environmental Impact Statementbe prepared on large road projects that impact environmental areassuch as wetlands or historic properties.While NJDOT insists this is a minor improvement to the WashingtonRoad intersection with Route 1, it is clear that this is a major regionalproject requiring an Environmental Impact Statement.4. The “consensus,” reached behind closed doors,is illegal. Federal transportation law provides reasonable proceduresfor the planning of major road projects, which include public input(the locals just might have some knowledge and good ideas!) and analysisof environmental impacts. NJDOT has consistently skirted these regulations.5. Alternative designs have not been adequately explored.Washington Road was built in 1802 as a connecting link between PennsNeck and Princeton. Without keeping Washington Road open to trafficover a depressed Route 1, (a plan supported by Assemblyman Reed Guscioraand Princeton Mayor Marvin Reed), this link between the two communitieswill be severed, depriving West Windsor and Princeton of a directroute to the train station, hospital, and cultural assets.6. It is too early for a consensus on any alignment. Electedofficials have a duty to explain to Princeton residents why this consensushas been reached without the requisite environmental analysis andproper procedures. This major road project will be “set in concrete,”literally. Rather than being so eager to come to closure, they shouldrefuse to accept any plan until the National Environmental ProtectionAct requirements are carried out.Peggy Killmer,Jean A. MahoneySTOPPrevious StoryCorrections or additions?This page is published by PrincetonInfo.com— the web site for U.S. 1 Newspaper in Princeton, New Jersey.
