Improvements to Dey Rd. and Scudders Mill Rd.

NJ Society of Municipal Engineers
Project of the Year

PROJECT HISTORY:

While it was once predominantly a farm town, Plainsboro Township has realized significant residential and commercial development over the last three decades. Although the Township has successfully improved it's transportation infrastructure to accommodate that growth, it's close proximity to U.S. Route 1 has resulted in significant traffic with origins and destinations outside of the Township, particularly on Scudders Mill Road and Dey Road, both of which are Middlesex County roadways.

Recognizing the need to accommodate this traffic at the intersection of these major arterial roadways and the uncertainty of the future construction of proposed Route 92 by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority which was anticipated to have accommodated a portion of this traffic, the Township commissioned Township Engineer David J. Samuel, P.E., P.P., C.M.E. to develop a plan to address the Township's traffic concerns.

CLIENT REQUIREMENTS:

• DEVELOP A COST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION TO ALLEVIATE DAILY PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC CONGESTION
• ASSIST THE TOWNSHIP IN NEGOTIATING A FAIR AND EQUITABLE COST SHARING AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX
• ASSIST THE TOWNSHIP IN CONDUCTING A "REAL INTERSECTION DESIGN" PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NJDOT OFFICE OF BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PROGRAMS
• PROVIDE A BALANCED DESIGN THAT IMPROVED TRAFFIC FLOW WHILE MAINTAINING THE RURAL CHARACTER OF THE AREA
• MAINTAIN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE IMPROVEMENTS

• PROVIDE IMPROVED PEDESTRIAN ACCESS THROUGH THE INTERSECTION
• DESIGN PROJECT TO COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE AASHTO AND NJDOT STANDARDS
• MAINTAIN EXISTING VEGETATED BUFFER BETWEEN INTERSECTION AND RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD

UNIQUE OR UNUSUAL DESIGN FEATURES:

• INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGENCY COOPERATION WHEREBY PROJECT COSTS ARE SHARED BY PLAINSBORO TOWNSHIP AND MIDDLESEX COUNTY
• INCORPORATION OF "BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES" TO ADDRESS STORMWATER RUN OFF QUALITY
• SPONSORSHIP OF "REAL INTERSECTION DESIGN" PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORK SHOP IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NJDOT OFFICE OF BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PROGRAMS TO GAIN PROJECT INPUT
• PRESERVATION OF MATURE TREES TO BUFFER ADJACENT RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD

THE RESULT:
Through the efforts of Township Engineer David Samuel and the intergovernmental cooperation of Plainsboro Township, Middlesex County and the State of New Jersey, this vital major arterial intersection has been improved to serve residents and commuters for years to come.