Work is back on for the Route 206 road widening project.
Mayor Robert Britting announced in a video that he spoke with Gov. Phil Murphy’s office on July 22 and confirmed there is a new contractor, Kearney-based Roman Asphalt Corp., for the project. The contracting business was on site on July 23, the mayor said.
“We are very, very thankful to the state and governor’s office for getting this project back on track,” he said, noting that movement of the Route 206 project has been a priority since he became mayor in January.
The federally-funded $41 million Route 206 widening project was halted by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) in April 2023 after a safety concern dispute with the previous contractor, Konkus Corporation, according to NJDOT officials.
During that time, the Hillsborough Township Committee and Economic and Business Development and Sustainability Office encouraged Hillsborough business owners to sign a petition urging the NJDOT to resume the Route 206 road widening project.
Phase I of the three-phase project began in March 2021 between Doctors Way to Valley Road project to create two travel lanes in each direction of Route 206 enhancing safety and easing traffic congestion. Construction was halted during Phase I.
The project also includes the construction of a new median barrier which will eliminate left turns to and from properties located along the highway and will direct turns onto newly signalized intersections, and jughandles, according to the NJDOT.
Britting said they have been making sure they work with everybody to ensure the project is put back on track.
“We’re incredibly, incredibly happy,” he said.