By Donald Gilpin

The Washington Road Bridge replacement project, under construction since late July, is nearing completion, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), which anticipates that Washington Road will reopen “sometime after October 31.”

Washington Road has been closed between Faculty Road and Tiger Lane while the NJDOT has replaced the bridge over the D&R Canal. Motorists have taken alternate routes, most likely Alexander Road/Alexander Street or Harrison Street, into and out of town.

NJDOT Press Manager Steve Schapiro has stated that a specific date for reopening has not yet been set. A gas main on the east side of the bridge has to be relocated, and more work remains on the bicycle/pedestrian section of the bridge. That part may open after the main bridge reopens to vehicular traffic. Original projections anticipated completion of the $9.4 million project by sometime in October.

The NJDOT has been in regular communication with local Princeton authorities, as well as Princeton University, regarding the project. The NJDOT will provide advanced notice before reopening the bridge.

Princeton Assistant Municipal Engineer Jim Purcell noted that Alexander Road has been quite congested since the Washington Road closure, especially at morning and evening rush hours, but Harrison Street, designated by the NJDOT as the primary alternate route, has seen fewer delays.

Though Washington Road will soon be reopening, Purcell pointed out that at some point, probably within the next five years, Mercer County would be taking on the challenge of replacing/repairing the much larger Washington Road Bridge over Lake Carnegie.

In his October 23 roadway conditions report to Princeton Council, Purcell stated that the Graduate Hotel had fallen about a month behind schedule on its construction at Nassau and Chambers streets due to a structural problem in the existing building. The opening of the hotel is still planned for May 2024, but Chambers Street will remain one lane northbound until the end of January, one month longer than anticipated.

Two-way traffic will resume after January 31, 2024.

In other road construction news from the Princeton Municipal Engineering Department, Prospect Avenue between Washington Road and Olden Street will have one lane closed for paving on Wednesday, October 25, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also Maple Street between Nassau Street and Linden Lane will be closed on Wednesday, October 25, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for sanitary sewer construction. Local traffic may use Linden Lane for access.

On Witherspoon Street this week PSE&G and S. Brothers general contractors will be coordinating traffic control for milling, paving, and electrical upgrades, with new transformers installed on utility poles. “It’s an intensive and detailed process,” said Purcell. 

Traffic will alternate in one lane through the construction area between Franklin Avenue and Green Street on Witherspoon, and full closure of the street may be necessary at times.

“PSE&G is doing work all over town,” Purcell added. “The situation is fluid.” This week there will be closures on Valley Road between Ewing Street and North Harrison. PSE&G’s contractor, Waters & Bugbee, will be working on gas main replacements on Library Place and on Leigh Avenue. Installations of new service connections will continue on Walnut Lane between Valley and Guyot, and on Hawthorne between Moore and Walnut. Work will also be taking place at the intersections of Jefferson Road and Moore Street, Cuyler Road, and Terhune Road at Mt. Lucas Road.

PSE&G will finish for the season by next week and won’t return until March, Purcell added. 

Tree removal will begin next week at about 50 different locations around Princeton, starting with Pretty Brook Road. Most roads will remain open with a detour when necessary. Cherry Valley Road, Drakes Corner Road, Herrontown Road, and Quarry Street will require a full closure or will have police presence.

Purcell emphasized that the Municipal Engineering Department works closely with Mercer County and New Jersey state authorities, and with Princeton University. 

“We work cooperatively, and the public should know we’re constantly working out traffic issues in communication with fire and police departments and PFARS — letting them know what’s happening and getting information back from them,” he said. “We also keep the school district informed.”

He went on to point out that the engineering department appreciates input from locals. “We don’t mind when the public reaches out,” he said. “Sometimes they tell us something we don’t already know. Then we can fix the situation. We rely on residents to be our eyes and ears.” 

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