UNDER CONSTRUCTION: The Graduate Hotel at Nassau and Chambers streets, seen under construction in the background here, is just one of a number of construction projects underway in Princeton, many causing road closures, detours, and delays. (Mueller Communications)

By Donald Gilpin

The Princeton Municipal Engineering Department and the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) have recently provided updates on eight different construction projects taking place around town.

The NJDOT has reported that its Washington Road Bridge over the D&R Canal replacement project is progressing on schedule according to plan, and is expected to be completed in October.

There has been an increase in congestion on Route 1 since the project began on July 26, particularly, as expected, during the morning commute. Also, during the middle of the day, the NJDOT notes, there has been an increase in traffic on Harrison Street and Alexander Road, which are being used for the detour.

Multiple detour routes, provided by NJDOT, should help to minimize delays. NJDOT recommends that motorists on Route 1 northbound use the Alexander Road detour before Washington Road.

“Motorists should plan extra time when traveling in the area,” NJDOT advises.

The Engineering Department has announced that University Place and Dickinson Street will be closed to through traffic on Wednesday, August 16 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to remove trees that have become hazardous.  Princeton University, the Princeton Public Works Department, and PSE&G will be working together during this time to remove five large trees.

Police officers will be directing traffic at the intersections at Nassau and University Place, Dickinson and University, and Mercer and Alexander during this time, and parking on University Place and Dickinson Street will be prohibited. Princeton University will be replanting trees along the street at a later date.

Structural work has been completed at the Graduate Hotel, the Engineering Department reports, with the sidewalks on Nassau Street nearly complete and mostly open. The last work area at the corner of Chambers and Nassau is currently under construction, with Chambers Street subject to periodic closures for delivery of materials and for PSE&G to install transformers in underground vaults for the hotel. Bank Street may also be closed at times while the parking lot behind 12 Nassau Street is repaired and resurfaced.

The Witherspoon Street Improvements Project is continuing with storm sewer and sidewalk construction. Traffic will alternate in one lane through the construction area on Witherspoon between Leigh Avenue and Green Street.

The annual resurfacing program will be starting up again on August 21 with construction of sidewalk curb ramps on Hutchinson Drive and Farrand Road, and in the Spring Street parking garage demolition work is beginning this week with up to 100 spaces unavailable for parking on the upper levels of the garage.

Also in progress this week is a gas modernization project. Waters & Bugbee, PSE&G’s contractor, is replacing gas mains on Moore Street and Walnut Lane with anticipated completion by Friday, August 18. They will also be working on Boudinot Street and Morven Place. Some roads will be closed and detours will be in place, the Engineering Department notes.

In addition, ongoing underground utility work may still be in progress on North Harrison Street near Terhune Road, resulting in road closures and detours.

Assistant Municipal Engineer Jim Purcell emphasized the Engineering Department’s commitment to keeping the Princeton public informed of the impact of the numerous ongoing construction projects.

“It’s challenging to coordinate all of the construction,” he said in a press release. “Things change day-to-day depending on weather or availability of materials and personnel. Our staff, particularly Tiffany Smith and Ian Baker, stay in touch with construction managers daily. Still, once in a while construction crews will show up without notifying us, and we jump into action to keep the public notified.”

The Engineering Department encourages the public to sign up for Nixle alerts to receive up-to-date information by email or text about road closures and detours. Visit local.nixle.com/register to set up alerts. Sign up for the Princeton Weekly Newsletter to learn about construction updates at princetonnj.gov/728/Mayor-and-Council-Newsletter.