New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has completed the Hamilton Road Bridge over the Route 206 Bypass in Hillsborough six months ahead of schedule, opening to traffic on Saturday.
The 150-foot-long bridge carries one lane of traffic in each direction and includes a six-foot-wide pedestrian walkway on both sides. The walkway will open in a few months after railing and fencing are installed.
Work has now begun on Old Somerville Road. The road will be permanently closed and split into northern and southern portions. Each portion will end in a cul-de-sac.
The split is necessary for the construction of a ramp from the Route 206 Bypass. The northern portion will have access from Route 206 northbound and the southern portion from Hamilton Road.
It is the final stage of the $36.6 million Route 206 Bypass. It will shift traffic onto a new 3.6-mile section to the east of the existing highway between Mountain View Road and Old Somerville Road.
The 1.7-mile, $44 million stage one portion was completed in October 2013.
The bypass is expected to create development opportunities along the current Route 206 in Hillsborough.
Work is expected to be completed next fall weather-permitting.