Compromise reached in road controversy

Byram - The irregular intersection of Waterloo and Brookwood Roads with Route 206 probably worked fine when only pedestrians and horses used it. Today, however, it causes legendary traffic jams, and township officials have fought over a solution from the time the state Department of Transportation first talked of Route 206 improvements. After the last correspondence between the township and the state, the DOT agreed to modify its design for the new road to take into account many municipal suggestions. The new alignment of Route 206 will include one lane and a full shoulder in each direction. The shoulder will be used as a travel lane during peak periods. No parking will be permitted on Route 206. The DOT is prepared to modify the configuration to two full lanes in each direction, if necessary. The center turn lane will remain as designated, although the state will consider replacing the turn lane with a planted median once the Village Center is developed since accesses designed in the center would allow for some of the necessary turning movement. One of the items the township was working hardest toward was the extension of the project to Acorn Street. Two detention basins within the Village Center designated area, near Netcong Avenue and north of Byram Plaza, were removed from the plans. Four basins, at Lackawanna Drive, Brookwood Road and just north of the Nissan dealership will remain. Another basin will be required within the right-of-way at Acorn Street. Wetlands restoration is a part of the project as well, according to Kris Kolluri, DOT commissioner. Township manager Greg Poff said township officials are pleased with the state’s response to their suggestions. The council is less happy with the Highlands plan. Poff said: “Our primary concern is that all of our residential neighborhoods are treated the same in the Highlands Master Plan. In the current draft plan, some are in the planning area and some are in the preservation area.” The council is also concerned that the proposed Village Center is in the protection zone of the planning area, Poff added.. “The council put a lot of energy into the plan for the proposed Village Center,” Poff said. “They want to be sure the Master Plan acknowledges that.” The council is also opposed to the reopening of the Lackawanna Cutoff. Poff said he is rewriting a statement to that effect so the railroad knows where the township stands. He noted there does appear to be momentum in favor of the Cutoff, however. Poff said residents can look at a copy of the township’s redevelopment plan at the township clerk’s office.