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U.S. Route 206

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U.S. Route 206 marker

U.S. Route 206

Map
US 206 highlighted in red, US 206 Bypass in blue
Route information
Auxiliary route of US 6
Maintained by NJDOT, Hamilton Township, Trenton, Mercer County, and DRJTBC
Length130.2 mi[1][2] (209.5 km)
Existed1934–present
Tourist
routes		 Millstone Valley Scenic Byway
Major junctions
South end US 30 / Route 54 in Hammonton, NJ
Major intersections
North end US 209 in Dingman Township, PA
Location
CountryUnited States
StatesNew Jersey, Pennsylvania
CountiesNJ: Atlantic, Burlington, Mercer, Somerset, Morris, Sussex
PA: Pike
Highway system
← US 202NJ→ Route 208
← PA 205PA→ PA 208

U.S. Route 206 (US 206) is a 130.2-mile-long (209.5 km) north–south U.S. highway in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, United States. Only about a 1⁄2 mile (0.80 km) of its length is in Pennsylvania; the Milford–Montague Toll Bridge carries it over the Delaware River into New Jersey, where it connects to the remainder of the route. Its southern terminus is at an intersection of White Horse Pike (US 30) and Bellevue Avenue (Route 54) in Hammonton. The highway's northern terminus is at an intersection of US 209 near Milford, Pennsylvania; some sources and signs show an overlap with US 209 to end at its parent route US 6. For much of its length, US 206 is a rural two-lane undivided road that passes through the Pine Barrens, agricultural areas, and the Appalachian Mountains of Northwestern New Jersey, with some urban and suburban areas. The route connects several cities and towns, including Bordentown, Trenton, Princeton, Somerville, Roxbury, Netcong, and Newton.

What is now US 206 in New Jersey was designated as part of several state routes prior to 1927, including pre-1927 Route 2 between Bordentown and Trenton in 1916, pre-1927 Route 13 between Trenton and Princeton in 1917, and pre-1927 Route 16 between Princeton and Bedminster in 1921. The current routing along pre-1927 Route 2 became a part of US 130 in 1926. In 1927, current US 206 became Route 39 between Hammonton and White Horse, Route 37 between White Horse and Trenton, Route 27 between Trenton and Princeton, Route 31 between Princeton and Newton, and Route S31 between Newton and the Delaware River. In the later 1930s, US 206 was designated to connect US 30 in Hammonton north to US 6 and US 209 in Milford; the northern terminus was moved to its current location in the 1940s. The state highways running concurrent with US 206 in New Jersey were removed in 1953. In the 1960s, two separate freeways were proposed for US 206 but never built. The first freeway was to connect Hammonton south along the Route 54 corridor toward Route 55 and the planned Route 60 in Vineland and Millville. The other US 206 freeway was planned in northwestern New Jersey, connecting I-80 in Netcong north to Montague Township. Construction began for a bypass of US 206 around Hillsborough in 2010 and was completed in 2021. The New Jersey Department of Transportation widened the route in Byram Township to alleviate congestion, with completion in 2013.

Route description

[edit]
Lengths
  mi km
NJ[1] 129.7 208.7
PA[2] 0.4 0.64
Total 130.2 209.5

New Jersey

[edit]

Atlantic and Burlington counties

[edit]

US 206 begins at the intersection of White Horse Pike (US 30) in Hammonton in Atlantic County, heading north-northeast on the two-lane, undivided highway. South of this intersection, the road continues as Route 54, known as Bellevue Avenue.[1] From its southern terminus, US 206 runs through farmland, which eventually gives way to the heavily forested Pine Barrens. Within this area, the route continues through the Wharton State Forest.[3] Here, the road comes to the intersection of Chew Road (CR 536).[1].[1]

US 206 northbound past southern terminus at US 30 and Route 54 in Hammonton

US 206 continues into Shamong Township, Burlington County, passing through more of the Pine Barrens.[1][3] In Shamong Township, the road makes a turn to the north and crosses an abandoned railroad line before it passes by Atsion Lake.[1] After running northwest, CR 541 splits to the left on Stokes Road.[1][3] After this intersection, US 206 heads north out of Wharton State Forest and into more agricultural areas.[3] At the intersection of Carranza Road (CR 648), US 206 briefly joins CR 648 and splits from US 206 by turning north-northeast on Old Indian Mills Road. the route briefly widens into a four-lane undivided road before narrowing back to two lanes. Upon intersecting with Tuckerton Road (CR 622), US 206 enters Tabernacle. Here, Medford Lakes Road (CR 532) crosses the route at a signalized intersection.[1] Following the intersection of Medford Lakes Road (CR 532), residential development increases along the route as it continues into Southampton.[1][3] US 206 becomes a three-lane road with one northbound lane and two southbound lanes as it comes to the Red Lion Circle with Route 70.[1] Past the Red Lion Circle, the route becomes two lanes again and passes more rural surroundings with some development. US 206 comes to the intersection of Route 38 and South Pemberton Road (CR 530).[1][3]

A short distance after the intersection of Route 38 and South Pemberton Road (CR 530), the route becomes the border between Eastampton to the west and Southampton to the east before running between Eastampton and Pemberton Township.[1] Along this portion, it passes through Ewansville.[3] Continuing entirely into Springfield Township, the route crosses the intersection of Monmouth Road (CR 537).[1] Past this intersection, US 206 widens into a four-lane undivided road.[1][3] The route briefly gains a wide painted median before crossing the Assicunk Creek into Mansfield Township[1] In Mansfield Township, US 206 becomes a divided highway as it bypasses the community of Columbus to the west, with CR 690 continuing through Columbus.[1][3] On the bypass of Columbus, the route has an interchange with CR 543.[1]

US 206/US 130 northbound split in Bordentown Township

Past Columbus, US 206 becomes undivided again, with residential development increasing. It becomes a divided highway again and merges with the northern terminus of Route 68, the main access road to the Fort Dix entity of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, at a directional intersection. After this intersection, US 206 enters Bordentown Township and reaches an interchange with the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) in a commercial area. Following this interchange, the route intersects with Farnsworth Avenue/Georgetown Road (CR 545).[1][3] A short distance later, US 206 merges into US 130 at a directional interchange to form a concurrency.[1] The two roads continue north on a six-lane divided highway, briefly entering the eastern edge of Bordentown at the intersection of Crosswicks Street/Crosswicks Road (CR 528).[3][4] Back in Bordentown Township, US 130 and US 206 split at another directional interchange.[1] Past US 130, US 206 crosses under Conrail Shared Assets Operations' Robbinsville Industrial Track railroad line and heads through development as a four-lane divided highway, making a slight northwest bend before resuming north.[1][3]

Mercer County

[edit]

US 206 crosses the Crosswicks Creek and enters Hamilton, Mercer County. Immediately after the Crosswicks Creek, there is an interchange with I-195. Past I-195, the route reaches the White Horse Circle, where it intersects with South Broad Street (CR 524) and White Horse Avenue (CR 533). At this point, US 206 turns west-northwest to run along four-lane divided locally maintained South Broad Street.[1] Passing through White Horse, the road briefly becomes five lanes with a center left-turn lane before becoming a four-lane divided highway again as it crosses over I-295 without an interchange. Running into more urban areas of development, the route enters Trenton at the crossing the intersection of Lalor Street (CR 650) After entering Trenton, US 206 narrows into a two-lane undivided street. As the road heads toward downtown Trenton, it crosses NJ Transit's River Line immediately before interchanging with Route 129. From here, the road turns more to the northwest with four lanes and passes by the CURE Insurance Arena before crossing over Amtrak's Northeast Corridor railroad line and US 1 without an interchange simultaneously.[1][3] US 206 enters the commercial downtown area, narrowing back to two lanes before reaching Warren Street, where US 206 splits into a one-way pair following Broad Street northbound and Warren Street southbound.[1][3][5]

US 206 northbound follows Broad Street through downtown Trenton

This one–way pairing, which carries two lanes in each direction, curves north and continues through Downtown Trenton. At the Trenton Battle Monument, the road reaches an intersection of Pennington Avenue (Route 31) and US 206 turns northeast onto another one-way pairing that follows Brunswick Avenue northbound and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard southbound, with each road being two-way but only carrying one direction of US 206. The road continues through neighborhoods, with northbound US 206 passing to the west of Capital Health Regional Medical Center and southbound US 206 forming the border between Ewing to the northwest and Trenton to the southeast as a county-maintained road at the intersection of Calhoun Street.[1][3][5] At this point, southbound US 206 becomes concurrent with CR 583.[5][6] At the intersection of Spruce Street, northbound US 206 becomes the border between Lawrence and Trenton, becoming state-maintained, while southbound US 206/CR 583 fully crosses into Lawrence.[1][5] Northbound US 206 widens into a four-lane divided highway as it comes to the Brunswick Circle with Business US 1. At this point, Business US 1 continues northeast on Brunswick Pike while northbound US 206 heads north as a two-lane undivided road called Lawrence Road.[7] CR 645 links the Brunswick Circle to southbound US 206/CR 583.[1]

At this point, both directions of US 206 are in Lawrence and rejoin, with US 206 continuing north as a two-lane undivided road and CR 583 heading to the northeast.[1] US 206 continues through suburban residential areas within Lawrence. The route makes a turn to the northeast before heading north again and passing to the east of Rider University.[3] A short distance later, the road has a cloverleaf interchange with I-295 prior to an intersection of Pennington-Lawrenceville Road/Franklin Corner Road (CR 546). In this area, US 206 is briefly a two-lane divided highway.[1] Past Pennington-Lawrenceville Road/Franklin Corner Road (CR 546), the route becomes two-lane undivided Main Street and heads north-northeast through Lawrenceville, passing development and the mile-long campus of The Lawrenceville School. Upon leaving Lawrenceville, US 206 turns more to the east through rural surroundings and intersects with Carter Road (CR 569). US 206 forms a short concurrency with CR 569 and splits from US 206 by turning east on Fackler Road. From this point, the route continues northeast and enters Princeton.[1][3]

US 206 northbound past CR 546 in Lawrence Township

In Princeton, CR 533 intersects US 206, and the two routes form a concurrency.[1] The road becomes Stockton Street, passing by the Drumthwacket Governor's mansion. US 206 turns north onto Bayard Lane, with Route 27 continuing northeast into Downtown Princeton on Nassau Street, which provides access to Princeton University through Downtown Princeton. The stretch from Lawrenceville until the intersection of Nassau Street in Princeton is part of the King's Highway Historic District. Bayard Lane carries the route past more wooded developed areas, eventually curving northeast through a park. Here, US 206 becomes unnamed and turns north again.[1][3] Continuing to the north, the amount of development adjacent to the road decreases.[3]

Somerset County

[edit]

US 206 enters Montgomery in Somerset County.[1] In Montgomery Township, the route runs to the east of Princeton Airport and crosses the intersection of Georgetown-Franklin Turnpike/Washington Street (CR 518). Following this intersection, CR 533 splits from US 206 by heading northeast on Bridgepoint Road, and US 206 continues north-northwest through a mix of suburban and rural areas. The road passes through the community of Harlingen before widening to four lanes and reaching Belle Mead.[1][3] In this area, US 206 passes over CSX's Trenton Subdivision railroad line before making a turn to the northeast and then to the north, narrowing back to two lanes. The road enters Hillsborough.[1] US 206 intersects with US 206 Bypass at its southern end and Mountain View Road. The road continues into residential and commercial areas of Hillsborough. It comes to the intersection of Amwell Road (CR 514) in this area.[1][3]

Past the intersection of Amwell Road (CR 514), US 206 makes a curve northeast before heading east to intersect with the northern end of US 206 Bypass, where it turns north.[3] Leaving the center of Hillsborough, the road runs northeast past more wooded areas as it crosses under Norfolk Southern's Lehigh Line. The route passes more development as it widens into a four lane divided highway with jughandles, turning to the north and passing the former Duke Gardens.[1][3] US 206 briefly becomes six lanes wide at the intersection of Dukes Parkway East (CR 608) before narrowing back to four lanes as it crosses the Raritan River into Somerville.[1] In Somerville, the road runs northwest parallel to the Raritan River prior to turning north into commercial areas and entering Raritan.[1][3] US 206 runs under NJ Transit's Raritan Valley Line before making a turn to the north-northwest.[1]

A multilane highway in a suburban area at a split, with two green signs over the road. The sign on the left reads north Interstate 287 to Interstate 78 Netcong Morristown with an arrow pointing to the upper right and the sign on the right reading north U.S. Route 202/U.S. Route 206 Pluckemin.
I-287 and 78 exit off northbound US 202/206

US 206 comes to the modified Somerville Circle, where it meets US 202 and Route 28. At this modified traffic circle, US 206 and Route 28 run through it while US 202 passes over it with ramp access.[1] US 206 forms a concurrency with US 202 at this point and the two routes continue north into Bridgewater, briefly entering Somerville.[8] The two routes reenters Bridgewater and becomes a four-lane freeway an interchange with US 22 and heads north with the Bridgewater Commons shopping mall on the east side of the road and the Somerset Corporate Center on the west side of the road. An interchange with Commons Way provides access to both these places.[3][8] Past Commons Way, the road passes under Garrettson Road and comes to an interchange with I-287 that also provides access to I-78.[8] Past the I-287 interchange, US 202/206 continue north as a two-lane surface road past suburban areas.[3] The road crosses Chambers Brook into Bedminster, where it soon passes under I-78. Shortly after I-78, it becomes into a four-lane expressway with a jersey barrier. US 202/206 come to another interchange with I-287, pass over the North Branch of the Raritan River, and come to an intersection where the two routes split.[3][8]

After the US 202 split, US 206 continues north as a four-lane arterial road through commercial areas, with the grass median becoming replaced by a painted median as it comes to the intersection of Lamington Road (CR 523) in Downtown Bedminster. Following this intersection, the route narrows into a two-lane surface road that runs through less development.[1][3] US 206 enters Peapack-Gladstone, where it runs a short distance to the west of NJ Transit's Gladstone Branch.[1] In Peapack-Gladstone, the road briefly becomes a four-lane divided highway as it has a trumpet interchange with Pfizer Way, a road that provides access to a Pfizer facility. Past this point, US 206 becomes a two-lane surface road that runs northwest through rural areas, with Pottersville Road (CR 512) crossing the road. Just after this intersection, the route enters Bedminster again, turning to the north.[1][3]

Morris County

[edit]
US 206 southbound past CR 613 in Mount Olive Township

The route continues north into Chester Township, Morris County.[1] In Chester Township, US 206 passes through forested areas, with the northbound direction briefly gaining a second lane. As the road comes into Chester, it widens to four lanes and passes shopping areas including the Streets of Chester.[1][3] In the center of Chester, the route crosses the intersection of West Main Street/Main Street (CR 513).[1] Past this intersection, US 206 continues into woodland development, with the northbound direction narrowing back into one lane as the route heads back into Chester Township. The road narrows back to two total lanes as it enters more rural surroundings, coming into Mount Olive.[1][3] Further north, residential development near the road starts to increase.[3] As US 206 reaches an intersection of Flanders-Bartley Road (CR 613), the surroundings becomes commercial before the route passes under Dover and Rockaway River Railroad's High Bridge Branch. After this area, the road turns north-northeast and runs through forested areas as a three lane road with two northbound lanes and one southbound lane, eventually entering Roxbury.[1][3]

US 206 northbound just north of I-80 in Mount Olive Township

Business in the area of the road increase before US 206 widens to four total lanes and comes to a modified cloverleaf interchange with I-80 and the southern terminus of Route 183.[1][3] At this point, the road continues north into Netcong as Route 183 while US 206 heads west along I-80, a six-lane freeway that continues into Mount Olive.[9] The freeway continues northwest, running through a small corner of Netcong before coming back into Mount Olive and interchanging with US 46.[3][9] Immediately after US 46, the highway passes over NJ Transit's Morristown Line/Montclair-Boonton Line before turning north and reaching a trumpet interchange where US 206 splits from I-80.[9] Following this split, US 206 is a four-lane freeway that heads northeast, crossing under Waterloo Valley Road and an abandoned railroad line before coming to an interchange with International Drive.[1]

Sussex County

[edit]
US 206 southbound in Andover

After the interchange with International Drive, US 206 crosses the Musconetcong River and enters Stanhope, Sussex County. Immediately following the river crossing, the freeway merges with the northern terminus of Route 183 at an interchange on the border between Byram Township to the west and Stanhope to the east.[1] Past Route 183, US 206 continues north as a four-lane divided surface road past development, fully entering Stanhope again before crossing into Byram Township. Upon entering Byram Township, the route becomes a two-lane undivided road. Upon turning northwest, the surroundings become more forested as US 206 crosses a mountain, with the northbound direction gaining a second lane for a distance.[1][3] There are a few businesses along the road as it runs north past wooded areas near Cranberry Lake and Panther Lake.[3] The route continues into Andover, where it becomes Main Street and passes under the abandoned Lackawanna Cut-Off and intersects with Brighton Avenue (CR 517).[1] US 206 forms a brief concurrency with CR 517 in the commercial downtown area and splits from US 206 by turning east-northeast on Lenape Road. Past Lenape Road (CR 517), US 206 bends northwest and enters Andover Township. Here, the road runs back into forested areas, passing by Whites Pond and running near Kittatinny Valley State Park. After a curve to the north, the route enters a mix of development and rural areas, passing to the west of Newton Airport prior to entering Newton, where it becomes Woodside Avenue.[1][3]

In Newton, the road is now known as Main Street and is lined by homes as it turns north. Upon reaching the downtown area, US 206 meets Route 94 and CR 519 at the Park Place Square.[1][3] At this point, US 206 forms a concurrency with Route 94/CR 519 by turning northeast on Main Street, northwest on Spring Street, and all three routes run concurrent north on four-lane undivided Water Street for a short distance.[1] CR 519 splits from the road by turning north on Mill Street while US 206 and Route 94 continue north as a three-lane road with a center left-turn lane, crossing the Paulins Kill before coming to a shopping district as the road leaves Newton for Hampton Township.[1][3] The road narrows back to two lanes and heads into areas of farmland.[3] Route 94 splits from US 206 by making a right turn to continue east.[1] After this intersection, US 206 turns northeast and enters Frankford Township. After crossing the Paulins Kill, Route 15 and Sussex Road (CR 565) end at a traffic light with US 206, with the route making a turn to the northwest on an unnamed road.[1][3]

US 206 and CR 521 in Sandyston Township near Culver's Lake

After this intersection, the route passes near Skylands Stadium before passing more farmland and reaching the community of Augusta.[3] After Augusta, US 206 turns north-northwest through more rural areas before entering Branchville. Here, the route bypasses the center of town to the south as a four-lane divided highway before crossing the intersection of Newton Avenue (CR 519).[1][3] Past Newton Avenue (CR 519), the median ends and US 206 continues to the west-northwest.[1] After crossing back into Frankford Township, the route continues through forested areas. Turning more to the north, US 206 runs a short distance to the west of Culver's Lake prior to intersecting with West Owassa Turnpike (CR 521). US 206 forms a concurrency with that route. The concurrent US 206 and CR 521 heads into Sandyston Township, where it crosses the Appalachian Trail at Culver’s Gap in the Kittatinny Mountain and passes through the mountainous Stokes State Forest.[1][3]

US 206 northbound approaching the Milford–Montague Toll Bridge

After heading north with a three-lane stretch that has two southbound lanes and one northbound lane, the two-lane road reaches the intersection of Tuttles Corner-Dingmans Road (CR 560).[1] After this intersection, the road leaves the state forest and continues through wooded areas with some commercial establishments. US 206/CR 521 reaches the community of Hainesville, where it passes through more agricultural surroundings with some development. Leaving Hainesville, the road continues into Montague Township.[1][3] Near the community of Montague, CR 521 splits from US 206 by heading to the northeast on River Road.[1] Meanwhile, US 206 turns to the northwest to run through wooded areas of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, where it comes to the Milford–Montague Toll Bridge over the Delaware River that is maintained by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.[1][3]

Pennsylvania

[edit]
The north end of US 206 at US 209 in Dingman Township. US 206 is signed to follow US 209, but officially does not.

After crossing the river on the Milford–Montague Toll Bridge, US 206 continues north into Dingman Township in Pike County, Pennsylvania.[10] A short distance after the bridge, the route comes to a northbound toll plaza, where it becomes a two-lane divided highway.[3] US 206 officially ends at an intersection of US 209 not far after the toll plaza for the bridge.[3][10] Even though this intersection marks the end of US 206, a few signs show the route heading concurrent with US 209 to continue north to US 6 in Milford.[11]

History

[edit]

What is now US 206 was part of several trails used by Lenape Native Americans: the Shamong Trail, later known as the Cape May Road, ran from what is now Crosswicks to Cape May; a trail running from Trenton through Crosswicks; the Assunpink Trail, later known as the Old Dutch Road, running from Trenton north to New Brunswick; and the Great Minisink Trail, running from Navesink through Netcong to Minisink Village in modern-day Montague Township.[12] In 1801, the Morris Turnpike was legislated to run from Elizabeth through Netcong to Culver's Gap. In 1804, the Union Turnpike was chartered to run from Morristown to the crossing at Dingman's Ferry in Montague Township. In 1814, the Deckerton and Newton Turnpike branched from Newton through Deckerton, now Sussex, to New York state line. The Crosswicks and Trenton Turnpike was chartered in 1854; the road is now locally known as Broad Street, and was included in US 206 west of White Horse.

Prior to 1927, what is now US 206 in New Jersey was legislated as part of several routes. Between Bordentown and Trenton, the current alignment was designated as a part of pre-1927 Route 2 in 1916.[13] Between Trenton and Princeton, present-day US 206 became the southernmost part of pre-1927 Route 13 in 1917. In 1921, the current route from Princeton north to Bedminster was legislated as part of pre-1927 Route 16.[14][15]

Cutout shield for Route 31
Route 31 (1927-1953)

After the U.S. Highway System was created in 1926, the route between Bordentown and Trenton became the northernmost part of US 130 while it became a part of US 1 between Trenton and Princeton.[16] In the 1927 New Jersey state highway renumbering, several state highways were legislated along present-day US 206. Route 39 followed the route from Hammonton to White Horse, while Route 37 was designated along it between White Horse and Trenton. From Trenton north to Princeton, pre-1927 Route 13 was replaced by Route 27. Present-day US 206 between Princeton and Newton became part of Route 31, a route that was to go past Newton to the New York state line near Unionville, while the portion north of Newton to the Delaware River in Montague Township became Route S31, a spur of Route 31.[17][18] Another spur of Route 31, Route 31A, was legislated in 1941 to run from Route 31 in Princeton to Route 33 in Hightstown; only a small portion of this was built over the Northeast Corridor railroad line and is now Route 64.[19][20]

Cutout shield for Route S31
Route S31 (1927-1953)

US 206 was designated in the later 1930s, running from US 30 in Hammonton, New Jersey, north to US 6 and US 209 in Milford, Pennsylvania. By this time, the US 1 and US 130 designations were removed from the route onto new alignments.[21][22] In 1938, US 206/Route 31 was designated to bypass Somerville, the former alignment was known as Route 177 from the 1960s until 1974.[23][24][25] In the 1940s, US 206/Route 39 was realigned to the south of White Horse; the former alignment was known as Route 160 between the 1960s and the 1980s.[24][26][27] Also in the 1940s, the northern terminus of US 206 was moved to its current location at US 209 in Dingman Township, Pennsylvania.[28]

In the 1953 New Jersey state highway renumbering, the state highways running concurrent with US 206 were removed.[20] When US 206's current alignment bypassing Columbus was built by the 1960s, the designation of Route 170 was given to the old alignment through Columbus; this road was turned over to Burlington County in the 1980s and is now CR 690.[29][30][31] In the late 1960s, a freeway was proposed for the US 206/Route 54 corridor, running from US 30 in Hammonton south to Route 55 and the proposed Route 60 near Vineland and Millville.[32] Originally, a parkway had been planned in 1932 to serve the US 206 corridor between Hammonton and Trenton, but never materialized.[33] The freeway between Vineland/Millville and Hammonton was to cost $47 million and was intended to provide a better route between the two areas than the existing two-lane roads. However, it was never built due to environmental and financial issues.[34]

US 206 southbound approaching I-80 in Mount Olive Township

A freeway was also proposed for US 206 in northwestern New Jersey during the 1960s. In 1964, a Route 94 freeway was planned to follow US 206 between Netcong and Newton on its way to the proposed Route 23 freeway in Hamburg.[35] The Tri-State Transportation Commission proposed a longer US 206 freeway that was to connect I-78 and I-287 in Bedminster north to Newton, incorporating the southern portion of the Route 94 proposal. This freeway was intended to relieve traffic on existing roads and provide access to recreation areas.[36] By the late 1960s, the US 206 freeway would be planned by the New Jersey Department of Transportation to connect I-80 in Netcong north to Montague Township.[32] This freeway was proposed to provide access to proposed national recreation area along the Delaware River that would have been built in conjunction with the controversial Tocks Island Dam project as well as alleviating traffic on the existing road. However, like the US 206 freeway proposal in Southern New Jersey, it was not built yet.[34]

Since 1974, a bypass has been planned for the congested part of US 206 through Hillsborough.[37] In 2002, the New Jersey Department of Transportation modified plans for the bypass. The bypass is to be mostly four lanes wide and run to the east of Hillsborough, with the southernmost portion only being two lanes; one interchange was planned with Amwell Road (CR 514). The road is to meet a Smart Growth goal by preserving land and eliminating two planned interchanges that would have increased congestion.[38] In July 2009, it was announced that construction of the US 206 Bypass, which is projected to cost $148 million, would start in 2010.[37] On June 24, 2010, a contract was given to Carbro Constructors Corporation to build the first phase between Amwell Road (CR 514) and Hillsborough Road. Construction on this portion, planned to cost $43 million, began on August 18, 2010, and opened on October 28, 2013.[39][40][41] This section is currently designated US 206 Bypass. In early 2015, work on grading and utility relocation for the ends of the bypass was slated to be completed. Work on constructing the northern and southern ends of the US 206 Bypass of Hillsborough was originally planned to begin in early 2017.[42] On April 13, 2018, construction began on the final phase to build the northern and southern ends of the bypass. The final phase of the US 206 Bypass, which is projected to cost $36.6 million and be funded through state and federal money, opened on June 5, 2021.[43][44][45] The Hillsborough Bypass is named for Peter J. Biondi, a former Assemblyman and Hillsborough mayor who died in 2011.[39]

US 206 was widened in Byram Township to six lanes. This construction follows a decade of controversy, including concerns that the widening would violate the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act passed in 2004; an exemption to this act allowed the construction to proceed. The widening was done in order to eliminate backups on the previous two-lane stretch during rush hours.[46] The project was slated to be finished in November 2013.[47]

The New Jersey Department of Transportation is planning on widening the route in Hillsborough to four lanes and adding a concrete median from Doctors Way to Brown Avenue, where the four lane highway south of the Raritan River ends. This will replace the railroad overpass that is primarily blocking the widening project. The first half, from Doctors Way to Valley Road, will start in the summer of 2020 and is anticipated to be completed by Fall 2022. The second half, from Valley Road to Brown Avenue will take place in 2022 and take 2 years to complete.[48]

Major intersections

[edit]
StateCountyLocationmi[1][2]kmDestinationsNotes
New JerseyAtlanticHammonton0.00.0 US 30 (White Horse Pike) – Atlantic City, Berlin


 Route 54 south (Bellevue Ave) to A.C. Expressway – Buena		Southern terminus; northern terminus of Route 54
4.06.4
 CR 536 west (Chew Rd)		Eastern terminus of CR 536
BurlingtonShamong Township9.415.1
 CR 541 north (Stokes Rd) – Medford Lakes, Medford		Southern terminus of CR 541
Tabernacle Township14.823.8 CR 532 (Medford Lakes Rd) – Medford Lakes, Tabernacle
Southampton Township17.628.3


 Route 70 to N.J. Turnpike south / G.S. Parkway – Camden, Philadelphia, Lakehurst, Long Beach Island		Red Lion Circle
23.437.7
 Route 38 west – Mt Holly, Camden

 CR 530 east (S Pemberton Rd) – Pemberton, Fort Dix		Eastern terminus of Route 38; western terminus of CR 530
Springfield Township26.843.1 CR 537 (Monmouth Rd) – Mt Holly, Jobstown
Mansfield Township30.649.2 CR 543 – Columbus, BurlingtonInterchange; northbound access via Atlantic Avenue
33.654.1
 Route 68 south – Fort Dix, McGuire AFB		Northern terminus of Route 68
Bordentown Township34.355.2

 I-95 Toll / N.J. Turnpike – New York, Camden		Exit 7 (I-95/ N.J. Turnpike)
35.156.5 CR 545 (Farnsworth Ave /Georgetown Rd) – Bordentown, Georgetown
35.657.3

 US 130 south to I-295 – Camden		Interchange; south end of the overlap with US 130
Bordentown35.857.6 CR 528 (Crosswicks St/Crosswicks Rd) – Bordentown, Chesterfield, New Egypt
Bordentown Township36.258.3

 US 130 north to I-195 – New Brunswick		Interchange; north end of the overlap with US 130
MercerHamilton Township38.8–
38.8		62.4–
62.4


 CR 524 east (S Broad St) to I-195 east – Yardville

 CR 533 north (White Horse Ave) – Mercerville, Princeton		White Horse Circle; western terminus of CR 524; southern terminus of CR 533
Trenton43.269.5
 Route 31 north (Pennington Ave)		Southern terminus of Route 31
Lawrence Township45.072.4

 US 1 Bus. north – New York


 To US 1 south / Strawberry St		Brunswick Circle in northbound direction
45.372.9
 CR 583 north (Princeton Pike)		North end of the overlap with CR 583 with the southbound direction
48.077.2 I-295 – Camden, New York, PhiladelphiaExit 69 (I-295); former I-95
48.377.7
 CR 546 (Pennington-Lawrenceville Rd/Franklin Corner Road) to US 1 – Pennington, Bakers Basin
50.280.8
 CR 569 north (Carter Rd) – Hopewell		South end of the overlap with CR 569
50.280.8
 CR 569 south (Fackler Rd)		North end of the overlap with CR 569
Princeton52.584.5 CR 533 (Quaker Rd)One-way street, inbound access only; south end of the overlap with CR 533
53.986.7
 Route 27 north (Nassau St) – Hightstown, New Brunswick		Southern terminus of Route 27
SomersetMontgomery Township58.093.3 CR 518 (Georgetown-Franklin Turnpike/Washington St) – Blawenburg, Rocky Hill
58.9794.90
 CR 533 north (Bridgepoint Rd / River Rd)		Northbound exit only
59.195.1
 CR 533 north (River Rd) / Orchard Road		North end of the overlap with CR 533; no turns allowed from the northbound lane
Hillsborough Township63.6102.4

 US 206 Byp. north / Mountain View Rd		Southern terminus of US 206 Bypass
65.4105.3 CR 514 (Amwell Rd) – Neshanic, Millstone
66.2106.5

 US 206 Byp. south		Northern terminus of US 206 Bypass
Raritan71.3–
71.6		114.7–
115.2
 US 202 south – Flemington, Lambertville

 Route 28 west – North Branch

 Route 28 east – Somerville		Somerville Circle; south end of the overlap with US 202
Bridgewater Township72.0115.9Southern end of the freeway section


 US 22 to I-287 south – Clinton, New York City
72.5116.7Commons Way
72.9117.3

 I-287 north to I-78 – Netcong, Morristown		Northbound exit and southbound entrance; Exit 17 (I-287)
Northern end of the freeway section
BedminsterSouthern end of the limited-access section
77.5124.7 I-287Exit 22 (I-287); access northbound US 202/206 to northbound I-287 via Schley Mountain Road; access southbound I-287 via the u-turn at River Road
78.0125.5AT&T Way
78.5126.3
 US 202 north – Far Hills, Morristown		North end of the overlap with US 202
Northern end of the limited-access section
78.9127.0 CR 523 (Lamington Rd) – Lamington, Oldwick, Far Hills
Peapack-Gladstone81.2130.7Pfizer WayInterchange
82.2132.3 CR 512 (Pottersville Rd) – Pottersville, Gladstone
MorrisChester Borough87.1140.2 CR 513 (W Main St/Main St) – Long Valley, Morristown
Roxbury Township95.0–
95.5		152.9–
153.7
 I-80 east – Paterson, New York City

 Route 183 north – Netcong		Exit 27A (I-80); south end of the overlap with I-80; southern terminus of Route 183
Mount Olive Township96.2154.8
 US 46 west – Budd Lake, Hackettstown		Exit 26 (I-80)
97.1–
97.2		156.3–
156.4
 I-80 west – Del Water Gap, Stroudsburg PA		Exit 25 (I-80); north end of the overlap with I-80
97.6157.1International Trade Center, Waterloo VillageAccess via International Drive
SussexStanhope97.9157.6
 Route 183 south – Stanhope, Netcong		Northern terminus of Route 183
Andover103.3166.2
 CR 517 south (Brighton Ave) – Tranquility, Hackettstown		South end of the overlap with CR 517
103.4166.4
 CR 517 north (Lenape Rd) – Sparta, Franklin		North end of the overlap with CR 517
Newton109.2175.7

 Route 94 south / CR 519 south (High St) – Blairstown		South end of the overlap with Route 94/CR 519
109.33175.95
 CR 519 north (Mill St)		North end of the overlap with CR 519
Hampton Township111.5179.4
 Route 94 north – Hamburg, Warwick, Vernon		North end of the overlap with Route 94
Frankford Township114.1183.6
 Route 15 south – Dover

 CR 565 north (Sussex Rd) – Sussex		Northern terminus of Route 15; southern terminus of CR 565
Branchville116.4187.3 CR 519 (Newton Ave) – Swartswood Lk, Beemerville, Branchville Business Dist
Frankford Township119.6192.5
 CR 521 south (W Owassa Turnpike) – Lake Owassa West Shore, Crandon Lakes		South end of the overlap with CR 521
Sandyston Township122.0196.3
 CR 560 west (Tuttles Corner-Dingmans Rd) – Layton, Dingmans Br		Eastern terminus of CR 560
Montague Township129.3208.1
 CR 521 north (River Rd) – Port Jervis		North end of the overlap with CR 521
Delaware River129.7
0.0		208.7
0.0		Milford–Montague Toll Bridge
New Jersey – Pennsylvania state line
(northbound toll in Pennsylvania)
PennsylvaniaPikeDingman Township0.40.64

 US 209 to I-84 / US 6 – Dingmans Fy, Bushkill, Stroudsburg, Milford, Port Jervis, Scranton		Northern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Special routes

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By-pass plate.svg

U.S. Route 206 Bypass marker

U.S. Route 206 Bypass

LocationHillsborough
Length2.7 mi[49] (4.3 km)
Existed2013–present
US 206 Bypass southbound a mile from the southern terminus

U.S. Route 206 Bypass (US 206 Byp.) is the designation for the Peter J. Biondi Bypass, a bypass of the section of US 206 through Hillsborough in Somerset County. The road begins at an at-grade intersection of US 206 and Mountain View Road and heads north as a two-lane divided road. First crossing over CSX's Trenton Subdivision railroad line, it curves to the north and comes to a signalized intersection of Hillsborough Road. Continuing north, the bypass passes through farmland and woodland with some nearby development, coming to bridges over Homestead Road and the Trenton Subdivision. The next intersection is a quadrant interchange with Amwell Road (CR 514). The connector road to Amwell Road (CR 514) is named Service Road through a direct ramp from CR 514 westbound to US 206 Bypass northbound exists. From here, the road becomes four lanes wide with a concrete barrier separating the carriageways. After passing under Hamilton Road, the bypass ends at a signalized intersection of US 206, which continues north.[49]

The first section of US 206 Bypass, 1.6 miles (2.6 km) in length and running from Hillsborough Road to Amwell Road (CR 514), opened on October 28, 2013.[39][50] The full bypass opened on June 5, 2021.[45]

Major intersections

The entire route is in Hillsborough Township, Somerset County.

mi[49]kmDestinationsNotes
0.0–
0.1		0.0–
0.16		 US 206 / Mountain View RdSouthern terminus
0.60.97
 Hillsborough Rd to US 206
2.03.2
 CR 514 (Amwell Rd) to US 206		Quadrant interchange via Service Road, one direct ramp from CR 514 westbound to US 206 Bypass northbound
2.74.3 US 206Northern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

[edit]
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq "US 206 Straight Line Diagram" (PDF). Division of Traffic Engineering and Safety Bureau of Transportation Data Development. New Jersey Department of Transportation. 2006. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c The National Highway Planning Network (Map). 1 : 68350. Cartography by Quantum GIS. Federal Highway Administration. 2005. Archived from the original on January 30, 2002. Retrieved 2007-07-11.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw "overview of U.S. Route 206" (Map). Google Maps. Google. 2009-12-12. Retrieved 2009-12-12.
  4. ^ "US 130 straight line diagram" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d "US 206 southbound Straight Line Diagram" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  6. ^ "Route 583 Straight Line Diagram" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  7. ^ "Lawrence Road Presbyterian Church". Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  8. ^ a b c d "Route 202 straight line diagram" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Transportation. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
  9. ^ a b c "I-80 Straight Line Diagram" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  10. ^ a b Pennsylvania State Road Atlas (Map). ADC Map. 2003.
  11. ^ "Signage at northern terminus of US 206" (Map). Google Maps. Google. October 10, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  12. ^ Snyder, John (1969). "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries 1606-1968"
  13. ^ 1916 Annual Report (Report). New Jersey Department of Transportation. 1916.
  14. ^ 1917 Annual Report (Report). New Jersey Department of Transportation. 1917.
  15. ^ 1921 Annual Report (Report). New Jersey Department of Transportation. 1921.
  16. ^ Bureau of Public Roads & American Association of State Highway Officials (November 11, 1926). United States System of Highways Adopted for Uniform Marking by the American Association of State Highway Officials (Map). 1:7,000,000. Washington, DC: United States Geological Survey. OCLC 32889555. Retrieved November 7, 2013 – via Wikimedia Commons.
  17. ^ State of New Jersey, Laws of 1927, Chapter 319.
  18. ^ 1927 New Jersey Road Map (Map). State of New Jersey. Archived from the original on October 31, 2007. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
  19. ^ State of New Jersey, Laws of 1941, Chapter 105.
  20. ^ a b "New Road Signs Ready in New Jersey". The New York Times. December 16, 1952.
  21. ^ Map of Pennsylvania and New Jersey (Map). Mid-West Map Co. 1937. Retrieved 2009-03-29.
  22. ^ Map of Pennsylvania and New Jersey (Map). Cartography by H.M. Gousha. Mid-West Map Co. 1941. Retrieved 2009-03-29.
  23. ^ State of New Jersey, Laws of 1938, Section 1
  24. ^ a b Milepost Log of State Highways (1969 ed.). New Jersey State Highway Department. 1969.
  25. ^ New Jersey Official Road Map (Map). Cartography by New Jersey Department of Transportation. New Jersey Department of Transportation. 1974.
  26. ^ Newark, New Jersey 1:250,000 quadrangle (Map). United States Geological Survey. 1947. Retrieved 2009-11-28.
  27. ^ Straight Line Diagrams. New Jersey Department of Transportation. 1980.
  28. ^ Scranton, Pennsylvania 1:250,000 quadrangle (Map). United States Geological Survey. 1949. Retrieved 2009-11-19.
  29. ^ Map of New Jersey (Map). Cartography by H.M. Gousha. Chevron Oil Company. 1969.
  30. ^ Route 170 Straight Line Diagram. New Jersey Department of Transportation. 1985.
  31. ^ "County Route 690 straight line diagram" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  32. ^ a b New Jersey Highway Facts. New Jersey Department of Transportation. 1969.
  33. ^ Regional Plan of the Philadelphia Tri-State District. Regional Planning Federation. 1932.
  34. ^ a b Master Plan for Transportation. New Jersey Department of Transportation. 1972.
  35. ^ "Expressway Plans". Regional Plan Association News. May 1964.
  36. ^ Transportation 1985: A Regional Plan. Tri-State Transportation Commission. 1966.
  37. ^ a b Craven, Laura (July 16, 2009). "Route 206 bypass gets green light from Hillsborough". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2009-12-15.
  38. ^ "Fox unveils re-designed Hillsborough Bypass: New smart growth plan reduces sprawl, preserves more open space". New Jersey Department of Transportation. December 20, 2002. Retrieved 2009-12-15.
  39. ^ a b c "Christie Administration opens portion of Route 206 Bypass in Hillsborough". The Messenger-Gazette. October 28, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  40. ^ Peterka, Amanda (July 7, 2010). "Hillsborough company wins $43-million Route 206 bypass contract". The Messenger-Gazette. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  41. ^ "NJDOT breaks ground on Route 206 Bypass in Hillsborough". The Messenger-Gazette. August 18, 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
  42. ^ Higgs, Larry (April 29, 2015). "Ask @CommutingLarry: Is the Route 206 bypass alive?". NJ.com. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  43. ^ "Route 206 Hillsborough Bypass final contract begins" (Press release). New Jersey Department of Transportation. April 13, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  44. ^ Deak, Mike (October 8, 2020). "Hillsborough: New Route 206 southbound ramp will open Friday". Bridgewater Courier News. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  45. ^ a b Williams, Bob (June 5, 2021). "Brand new highway: Route 206 Bypass in Hillsborough, NJ finally open". NJ 101.5. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  46. ^ "Route 206 widening finally under way". Daily Record. December 7, 2009.
  47. ^ "Route 206 improvement project in Byram advances toward a November completion date". New Jersey Department of Transportation. September 18, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  48. ^ "Route 206 Bypass project begins Hamilton Road Bridge construction". March 6, 2019. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  49. ^ a b c "U.S. Route 206 Bypass" (Map). Google Maps. Google. June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  50. ^ "US 206 Bypass Straight Line Diagram" (PDF). Division of Traffic Engineering and Safety Bureau of Transportation Data Development. New Jersey Department of Transportation. 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 6, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
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