Route 18 Reconstruction

Project Abstract

This section of Route 18 is a primary regional thoroughfare for more than 85,000 vehicles a day. The road had substandard geometric features, a high rate of accidents compared to statewide averages, and a need for improved traffic operations. Bridges at George Street, New Street, and at Route 27 needed to be replaced. Traffic signs and signals needed to be added or improved and new bridges needed to be constructed Carpender Place (pedestrian) and Commercial Avenue.

-- Excerpt from Route 18 Reconstruction Submission Form --

Overview

The Route 18 reconstruction project is a large-scale, $200 million project set in the urbanized area of New Brunswick, N.J. All deliverables associated with the project were developed through an intensive CSS approach that included regular community partnering meetings and public outreach efforts. Through these coordinated efforts, a plan of action was developed for implementation of the elements that were to be included in the final design documents and, ultimately, in the construction of the project.

CSS Qualities: Process

The entire Route 18 reconstruction project was developed through an intensive CSS approach that included regular community partnering meetings and public outreach efforts. The primary stakeholders included the City of New Brunswick, Middlesex County Planning and Engineering Departments, Rutgers University, the Johnson and Johnson Corporation with its headquarters facility in New Brunswick, New Jersey Department of Transportation, the design engineering firm and project architects, which formed as a CPT with other local and regional civic organizations, governmental agencies, and neighborhood representatives.

An experienced multi-party facilitator was used to implement the partnering strategy, to work with multiple stakeholders, varying processes and had the technology to maintain databases, calendars, e-mail lists, meeting reports, and project information. A CPT Handbook was developed to provide clear and consistent information for each member to share with their constituents. Later in the process a Route 18 project Web site provided the documentation (CPT meeting reports, maps, photos, and artist renderings) for enhanced information exchange with the community and general public.

During this early phase of the project, the Community Action Plan, prepared by the stakeholders through consensus building, established the appropriate strategies and mechanisms to address the community context of the project. This community context was combined with the transportation and environmental needs and values as part of the overall CSS. The CPT, in addition to Public Information Center meetings, Local Officials’ Briefings, and Public Hearings were all utilized to identify issues, build consensus, and ultimately achieve the goals of CSD.

The goals and objectives of the CPT were to:

Mitigate impacts of the proposed highway expansion by interpreting cultural elements and environmental factors of the setting
Develop guidelines to create aesthetically pleasing roadway features and sense of entry and welcoming into New Brunswick
Maintain and enhance existing linkages, both pedestrian and vehicular throughout the city, as well as views to and from the riverfront.

The CPT was very useful in obtaining ongoing and broad-based public participation across the various communities within the project limits. It included all aspects of the community: local and regional public officials; regional public agencies; local business and residential organizations; police, fire, and emergency medical service (EMS) departments; and local school districts. The following items were broached by the CPT and were used to define the area context: pedestrian and bicycle safety during construction, maintenance of business and residential driveway access, commercial and school bus routes, emergency vehicle access and mobility, noise and construction hours, urban design treatments at bus stops and along walkways, and other public and private concerns. In addition to public meetings, the CPT communicated with the public through newsletters, radio and newspaper announcements, and a Web site.

The recommendations derived from the CSS phase were brought to the table during the early preliminary design discussions. A plan of action was developed for implementation of the elements that were to be included in the final design documents and, ultimately, in the construction of the project. The action plan included the preparation of architectural renderings of the major structures and other important features. These graphic representations enabled all the members of the CPT to better visualize the intended form and appearance of the proposed treatments.

CSS Qualities: Outcomes

The purpose of this project is to enhance the safety and operations of this section of Route 18. The reconstruction will improve corridor traffic operations by eliminating substandard roadway geometric features, managing access to and from the New Brunswick area, and enhancing access and mobility for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users. Upon final completion of the Route 18 reconstruction project, the major benefits will include:

New outer roadways will be built to separate local traffic from the expressway traffic. Both the northbound and southbound outer roadways will allow access to and from the city by meeting new bridges at George Street, Commercial Avenue, New Street, and Albany Street.
The outer roadways will also have wide multi-use paths along their entire lengths and at each bridge crossing to connect the city, its institutions, residential, and recreational areas.
Safer pedestrian crossings will be provided with traffic signals at Paulus Boulevard, George Street, and Commercial Avenue, and pedestrian bridges at Carpender Road and Richmond Street. Connection to the pedestrian bridge at New Street will be improved.
A ramped promenade from the new bridge at Commercial Avenue will provide a scenic vista of the Raritan River and a grand entranceway for pedestrians into Boyd Park. Improvements also include a new amphitheater adjacent to the park pavilion and take in the area closest to the outer roadway.
Boyd Park will be extended into the former City Docks area and a new boat ramp and picnic pavilion, along with ample parking for the park will be provided.
New sidewalks and lighting will be provided throughout areas that pedestrians and bicyclists use.
Noise walls will be constructed to buffer several residential locations.
Aesthetics in the Route 18 reconstruction area will be enhanced by burying utilities underground, extensive landscaping and architectural and other urban design treatments. The Albany Street tunnel and the Richmond Street Bridge will be constructed with a sensitivity to their neighborhoods.