Route 206 to See Traffic Shift in Byram

Attention Hopatcong drivers: Route 206 will undergo massive contruction starting Wednesday morning as part of an $18.3 million project, the state Department of Transportation said.

As a result, traffic will be shifted to the highway's southbound side from Acorn Street to north of Hi-Glen Drive, using the southbound shoulder as as travel lane. On the northbound side, a construction barrier will separate motorists from a work zone.

One lane will be open in each direction during daytime and peak traffic periods, but temporary night closures could occur with alternating traffic patterns. Left-turn lanes at Waterloo Road and Brookwood Road intersections will stay open.

The traffic pattern is expected to remain in place for eight months, the Department of Transportation said.

Read the Department of Transportation's release below for more information.

A major traffic pattern shift will take place along Route 206 in Byram Township this week, NJDOT officials today announced.

On Wednesday, October 5, NJDOT’s contractor, Tilcon Inc., is scheduled to shift Route 206 traffic to the southbound side of the highway, from Acorn Street to north of Hi-Glen Drive, utilizing the existing southbound shoulder as a travel lane.  A new work zone will be established on Route 206 northbound, separated by construction barrier.  One lane of Route 206 will be maintained in each direction during daytime and peak-period hours.  The left-turn lanes at the Waterloo Road and Brookwood Road intersections will remain in use. 

Nighttime temporary single-lane closures will be allowed on Route 206, as needed, with alternating traffic patterns.  NJDOT anticipates this traffic pattern remaining in place for approximately eight months.

The shift marks further progress in the ongoing $18.3 million safety and operational improvement project to Route 206 in Byram.  NJDOT is increasing safety and reducing congestion along the highway through the addition of new auxiliary lanes and traffic signals.  A new center turn lane is being installed along Route 206 mainline as well as new sidewalks.  The project will also realign the Waterloo Road and Brookwood Road intersections with Route 206 to provide a direct T-intersection, improving both vehicular and pedestrian safety.

Route 206 is a major north-south connector roadway in Sussex County.  The speed limit along this stretch of Route 206 remains reduced to 35 mph.   The state-funded project began construction in late-2009 and is anticipated for completion by the end of 2012.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors.  Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information.