Residents Offer Input on Route 22 Improvement Project

Speed, pedestrian/bicycle traffic, access driveways, U-turns, businesses in the median, poor signage, traffic volume and access to I-287 were among the many concerns voiced by the approximately 25 Somerset County residents who gathered Saturday to provide their input on the .

Michael Soliman, of the Louis Berger Group—the consulting group working with the county—explained that this is the second public session being held on the project.

“We want to get information from the community about their knowledge of the corridor and any ideas they have about how they would like it to work and see how we can incorporate them into the initially preferred alternative,” he said.

The project focuses on Route 22 in Bridgewater, between the Route 202/206 and I-287 interchanges. According to data collected by the firm, that section of roadway carries approximately 88,000 vehicles a day and reports about 270 crashes per year, with crash rates five times the statewide average in some areas.

The project goals, Soliman said, are to improve overall safety and enhance mobility, livability and economic vitality along the corridor.

The session took the form of a charette, an interactive workshop in which residents worked in groups with engineers, voicing their concerns about the existing roadway and offering suggestions for improvements.

Somerset County Freeholder, and Bridgewater resident, Patrick Scaglione referred to a regional center plan that was created in 1999.

“A lot has changed in the last 10 years,” he said. “We need to get the project moving forward.”

Somerville Mayor Brian Gallagher had a similar opinion.

“Route 22 is an absolute wreck," he said. "Ten years ago, we began the visioning of how to resolve it. Today is the beginning. How do we finally fix it? We have to look at what the now is. It’s not going to happen overnight, but it can’t be a 50- to 60-year fix either.”

Curtis Kraut, of Bridgewater, commended the county for holding the public session.

“Up until this process, it hasn’t been a very public process," he said. "I’m gratified that they are taking this tact to get input from the public so it’s more grassroots. I’m very concerned about any widening of Route 22 indiscriminately.”

Andrew Leven, also of Bridgewater, agreed.

“I’m really concerned about the quality of life and the impacts," he said. "When it comes to talk of building out to 10 lanes, I am very much opposed to it.”

When Leven mentioned a “no-build alternative,” Gallagher responded by saying that that's what residents are seeing now.

“We’re living the no-build right now and it’s no good,” Gallagher said.

Among the concerns and recommendations presented by the various groups were:

• Access to I-287: As one participant explained, this strip of Route 22 serves as a 287 ramp. There were several recommendations to create a direct connection between the Route 202/206 interchange and I-287. This, Marty Caffrey of Basking Ridge, said could eliminate 30,000 cars.
• Businesses in the median strip: The groups were unanimous in their view that businesses should not be permitted in the median. Relocating those businesses, they said, would eliminate multiple access and egress points that interrupt the flow the traffic.
• U-turns: This issue is currently being addressed and the u-turns are being removed.
• Driveway access: The groups suggested reducing the number of access points by consolidating the number of driveways or creating a frontage road along existing businesses.
• Signage: Signage, particularly approaching , is often unclear, the groups agreed. One group suggested more graphic rather than verbal signs.
• Improving acceleration/deceleration lanes.

There were also some areas of disagreement.

While one group called pedestrian and bicycle access a “non-issue,” another felt it was a necessity, and recommended improving pedestrian service.

“It’s real," said Susan Smith-Peter, of Somerville. "It’s happening. Something must be done.”

Gallagher reported that his group suggested a central roadway along the center median to create an express Route 22 that would also reduce acceleration problems.

“Right now we have the co-mingling of local traffic and thru traffic,” he said.

Leven responded, “This is a concept that is 10 years old.”

Additional focus groups and public hearings are expected to be held as the process continues.

For more information, residents should visit route22corridor.info.