Route 92 study awaited by authorities

By: David Campbell , Staff Writer
Princeton Packet, 05/20/2003

Transportation forum decides to withold an endorsement.

   WEST WINDSOR — The Central Jersey Transportation Forum decided Friday to withhold an endorsement of Route 92 until members have had an opportunity to review environmental findings by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

   The New York District of the Army Corps has said its draft environmental impact study of the roadway could be released this month.

   On Friday at Sarnoff Corp., the forum discussed whether to approve a draft letter to Gov. James E. McGreevey that urges the governor to "ensure that Route 92 is constructed as soon as possible."

   But a discussion among forum members indicated the group is far from reaching consensus on the matter. Members chose to wait until the Army Corps releases its draft environmental impact statement on the roadway before deciding whether to endorse the project.

   In the meantime, however, forum members agreed to draft a letter to the governor affirming its findings that Route 92 is a vital component of a package of roadway, mass transit and legislative initiatives needed to adequately address the region's traffic problems.

   The Army Corps began its environmental review in 2000 after stepping in to resolve a conflict between the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the state Department of Environmental Protection.

   The DEP issued a wetlands permit to the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, which proposed Route 92, against the EPA's recommendation the roadway not be built and permits not be issued.

   The proposed 6.7-mile limited-access roadway would link Route 1 in the vicinity of its intersection with Ridge Road with Exit 8A of the New Jersey Turnpike. The proposed roadway would cut through the northern tip of Plainsboro Township and run east to west through much of South Brunswick along Friendship Road.