Not for the first time this year, a big detour in the Princeton area kicks in first thing Thursday morning. A part of Route 206 will be closed to allow for much-needed repairs to two area bridges.

Route 206 will be closed between just past The Hun School and the Jasna Polana Country Club in the Princeton area. State transportation spokesman Steve Schapiro says this work is going to continue through the late fall.

The detours around Route 206 will be divided into car detours and truck detours.

For cars

Northbound - From Route 206 north, traffic will be directed to take a left on Carter Road, right on Rosedale Road, and then a right on Elm Road back to Route 206.

Southbound - From Route 206 south, traffic will be directed to take a left on Lovers Lane, right on Mercer Road, and a right on Hutchinson Drive back to Route 206.

For trucks

Northbound - From Route 206 north take I-95 south to Route 31 north to Route 202 north back to Route 206 at the Somerville Circle.

Southbound - From Route 206 south take Route 202 south at the Somerville Circle to Route 31 south to I-95 north back to Route 206.

Schapiro says both the Stony Arch Bridge, originally built in 1792, and the flood channel bridge, will be rebuilt and reinforced.

"About a year and a half ago, we had to make some emergency repairs. Winter storms damaged the bridge, some of the parapet structure. So we went in, did some emergency repairs at the time. And now we are going back to do our permanent repairs."

Schapiro says they ask the motoring public to work with them on this.

"Be our partner, be patient whenever there is detours or road closures. We want to get everybody where they are going safely and efficiently, so it is best to plan a little extra time for your commute."

The bridge will be reconstructed to conform with historic standards.

"Because of the historic nature of this bridge, we have been working very closely with both the state historic preservation office, as well as the Princeton Historic Preservation Committee.

"The way the bridge repair was designed is that we are going to be using the same stones that were in the original bridge. They are being removed and will be replaced in kind. We are also using a type of mortar similar to the type of mortar that was originally used in the construction of the bridge to maintain the historic aspects of it as best as possible, while providing modern safety features to make sure that the bridge can withstand modern traffic, and meet modern safety standards"

Joe Cutter is the afternoon news anchor on New Jersey 101.5

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