Flemington Circle: When will the road work be finished?

If you’ve traveled to Flemington lately, you are no doubt aware that work continues at the Flemington Circle, where Routes 31, 12 and 202 all come together.

The $11.1 million federal and state funded project, which began almost a year and a half ago, is adding bypass lanes and realigning approaches into the circle to slow down traffic.

Dan Triana, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, says variable message signs and lane closure signs are being used to give drivers updates and advance notification of any traffic pattern changes associated with the project.

He noted the safety improvements are necessary because of the extremely high number of crashes that take place at the circle every year.

“The project is creating an environment where there’s a free-flow condition for Route 202 southbound, creating slower approaches,” he said.

According to Triana, topsoil is being added now around the interior of the circle and concrete is being poured on the outer islands for the different road approaches.

“The contractor is getting prepared to do some temporary striping and getting the area ready for final paving,” he said.

He noted a detour that is currently in effect from Route 12 eastbound leading to Route 202 northbound will be cleared “as soon as possible.”

In addition to slowing down traffic that’s entering the circle, Triana said lighting and striping are being enhanced and other are also being made.

“For example they’re adding something called truck aprons. This is making it easier for large vehicles to navigate around the circle without striking fixed objects or striking other vehicles.”

He added the engineering design of the improved circle is “basically to make it safe and encourage motorists to reduce speed.”

How much longer?

Many motorists have complained about the project slowing traffic to a crawl, especially during the morning and evening rush, and businesses around the Flemington Circle are also unhappy because it’s limited the number of customers who are stopping there. But work is expected to continue for quite a while.

“The project is expected to be completed by the spring of 2018,” said Triana.

“Everything is going well so far, we’re on schedule.”

He says motorists should use caution when approaching the circle, and driving around it.

You can contact reporter David Matthau at David.Matthau@townsquaremedia.com