In an attempt to give commuters more relief from Route 1 gridlock, NJDOT has expanded the zone in South Brunswick where shoulders are used as travel lanes during the morning and evening rush hours.
The project, which began in late June and allows cars to use the shoulder as a travel lane Monday through Friday between 6 and 9 a.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. on Route 1 northbound and southbound from Independence Way to Raymond Road will be extended a half mile on the northern end from Raymond Road to Promenade Boulevard in the southbound direction.
Route 1 is three lanes before and after this section of the highway, causing a bottleneck and delays where the three lanes merge to two lanes.
In a press release, NJDOT called the project “successful” and said a a growing number of drivers are using the shoulder, causing increased travel speed in both directions.
The extension allows cars to use the shoulder beginning at Promenade Boulevard in the southbound direction from 6 to 9 a.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
NJDOT says it will continue to evaluate the project, which was intended to last six months, and that it could be made permanent.
