Princeton Officials Ask DOT to Postpone Jughandle Pilot

Princeton officials and those in other towns along the Route 1 corridor have asked the New Jersey Department of Transportation to postpone the jughandle pilot project, Princeton Township Deputy Mayor Liz Lempert said Monday. 

"We requested DOT delay the test, especially given the fact that the hospital is going to be moving," Lempert said, noting if DOT monitors traffic volumes before the University Medical Center at Princeton moves to Route 1 in Plainsboro in May, the baseline numbers will be inaccurate. 

If the test is successful, the state would close the turns permanently. 

"Hopefully DOT will hear us and hopefully postpone the test until after the hospital moves," Lempert said. 

Princeton Township Committee passed a resolution in late 2010 objecting to the jughandle closures and Lempert said Princeton Borough Council plans to introduce a similar measure this week.