Byram officials out to slow down Route 206 project

BYRAM - Township officials are intent on putting off a “ribbon and lace meeting” with the Department of Transportation in a last gasp attempt to slow down the state’s plans to ease traffic congestion by widening a 1.2 mile stretch of Route 206 through the center of town. DOT had asked to meet with a cross-section of representatives from concerned Byram advisory councils next week to discuss landscape and aesthetic designs before breaking ground on the $26.5 million project late next year. Instead, Byram officials opposed to the lane expansion want to first meet with an independent attorney to question the state’s adherence to prohibitive Highlands legislation. “We’re going to meet with DOT and talk about flowers and trees on a project that the council is in almost total dissent?” said councilwoman Donna Griff, at a township council meeting this week. “It’s ridiculous. It’s admitting defeat.” Councilman Earl Riley said the alternative would be to not meet at all with DOT, which has repeatedly made clear its plans to move ahead with the project despite the township council’s opposition. The council plans to hold a “closed-door” session Dec. 19 to challenge DOT’s commitment to the Highlands Act, which restricts development in the 850,000 region, and what the council sees as inconsistencies in the goals and intents of the proposed project. Griff said the town hasn’t seen enough of a context-sensitive design to sign-off on the project. CSD is a state-backed process that involves a commitment by DOT to encourage collaboration with municipalities so that state projects reflects the goals of the people who live, work, and travel in the area. DOT held its last public hearing May 10, the fourth meeting in the past two years, to outline its plans for Route 206 improvements. “We’ve been asking for a context-sensitive design meeting to discuss the entire plan,” said Griff. “When we talk about Route 206, the public has been excluded. I want to make sure the public will be heard.” Mayor Eskil “Skip” Danielson, who supports the proposed project, said Byram could risk losing millions of dollars in future state aid if it does not accept DOT’s plans. “I don’t think DOT is opposed to people participating,” he said. “They are just not looking for a forum as to whether or not the highway should be built.” The council majority has tried to convince DOT to explore a scaled-down version of the project that includes the realignment of the intersection of Waterloo and Brookwood roads where traffic backs up. Both roads are scheduled to be widened to include a right-turn lane and a shared left-turn and through lanes. In September, the council passed a resolution rejecting the proposed project and calling for a moratorium on the planning and design before ground is broken. The council would like to see a phased approach to the realignment of intersections, coordination of traffic lights and various pedestrian-friendly improvements to the area from Alcorn Street to the vicinity of Waterloo Village near the Byram Plaza off Lackawanna Road. In order to halt the project, Byram officials are now seeking to raise environmental issues including allegations that the construction is in violation of the Highlands Preservation Act. DOT contends that permits for expansion of the road by up to five lanes were obtained before the Highlands legislation became law. Commissioner Jack Lettiere has said DOT plans on advancing the project along expeditiously to avoid additional costs in both design and construction At first, Byram approved the project, which surfaced almost 10 years ago, but withdrew support early last year.