Articles Roads and utilities
Branchburg's Municipal Roads and Spending, Explained
What the 2026 capital program schedules for road improvements and Public Works equipment, what the Township Committee bought, paid and adopted in 2026 — resurfacing with Schifano Construction, $1,348,000 of equipment ordinances — what the 2025 audit says was spent, and where the Lehigh Road rail quiet zone stands.
The short version
- The 2026 adopted budget’s capital program schedules $13,040,000 for road improvements across 2026–2031, with $2,540,000 planned for 2026, and $2,200,000 for DPW equipment.
- In 2026 the Committee authorized resurfacing materials from Schifano Construction Corporation, and its approved bill lists paid Schifano $996,214.10 for road resurfacing ($562,847.36 on June 22 and $433,366.74 on Aug. 10).
- It adopted Ordinance No. 2026-1514 ($1,018,000, May 26, 4–0) and No. 2026-1517 ($330,000, Sept. 14, 5–0) for Public Works equipment.
- The 2025 audit reports what was budgeted and paid in 2025 for road repair, snow removal and a $1,000,000 road-improvement reserve.
- The Township is working with Norfolk Southern toward a permanent quiet zone at the Lehigh Road rail crossing; the temporary quiet zone is a two-year permit.
What the capital program schedules
The 2026 adopted budget’s capital improvement program plans road improvements by year:
| Year | Road improvements | DPW equipment |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $2,540,000 | $950,000 |
| 2027 | $2,500,000 | $250,000 |
| 2028 | $2,000,000 | $250,000 |
| 2029 | $2,000,000 | $250,000 |
| 2030 | $2,000,000 | $250,000 |
| 2031 | $2,000,000 | $250,000 |
| Total | $13,040,000 | $2,200,000 |
The Township Committee introduced the 2026 budget on March 23, 2026 and adopted it on April 27, 2026 by Resolution No. 2026-88, 5–0. A capital-program schedule is a plan; it does not by itself authorize spending. The adopted budget’s current-year road-improvement capital line reads $1,300,000, a different schedule from the capital program’s $2,540,000 for 2026; the budget does not reconcile the two.
Resurfacing in 2026
| Date | Record | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| May 11, 2026 | Resolution No. 2026-96 authorizes the purchase of road resurfacing materials from Schifano Construction Corporation (consent agenda, 4–0) | — |
| June 22, 2026 | Bill list approved 5–0: Schifano Construction, road resurfacing | $562,847.36 |
| Aug. 10, 2026 | Bill list approved 5–0: Schifano Construction, road resurfacing | $433,366.74 |
On Sept. 14, 2026 Mayor James Schworn said the Township had received positive feedback on Schifano Construction’s road paving in the Fox Hollow development. The minutes do not list the other streets paved. On March 9, Township Administrator Gregory Bonin said the Department of Public Works was repairing potholes after the winter.
Public Works equipment
| Date | Action | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| May 26, 2026 | Ordinance No. 2026-1514 adopted: $1,018,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund for a street sweeper, a loader, a double drum asphalt roller and a mini asphalt track paver | 4–0 (Aye: Columbus, Owens, Beatrice, Schworn) |
| June 22, 2026 | Purchases of a drum roller (Hoffman Equipment), street sweeper (Jet-Vac Equipment LLC) and wheel loader (Foley Inc.), Resolutions No. 2026-123 to 2026-125; authorization to bid for a mini-paver (2026-122) | 5–0 |
| July 13, 2026 | Purchase of a mini paver and a skid steer side dump bucket from Jersey Rents (2026-137) | 5–0 |
| Sept. 14, 2026 | Ordinance No. 2026-1517 adopted: $330,000 from the capital fund balance for equipment including a replacement dump truck; purchase of a Kenworth T480 truck from Gabrielli Kenworth of NJ, LLC (2026-159) | 5–0 |
Mr. Bonin said on May 26 that a street sweeper and a loader would be bought that year to replace older ones. On Aug. 10, when Ordinance No. 2026-1517 was introduced, the Mayor confirmed with Mr. Bonin that it replaces a dump truck that caught fire a few months earlier, partially reimbursed through insurance.
The Lehigh Road rail crossing
The Township holds a temporary quiet zone at the Lehigh Road rail crossing and is working toward permanent quiet-zone improvements that need Norfolk Southern’s approval. From the minutes:
- April 27: Lauren Mates of Briar Way asked about the temporary quiet zone’s expiration and a possible permanent closure. Mr. Bonin said the temporary quiet zone is a two-year permit and that the Township will reapply if the roadway has not been improved before it expires. Jana Casey of Briar Way asked about the design and construction phases; Mayor Schworn said he believes it is very likely the Township will come to terms with Norfolk Southern.
- May 11: Mr. Bonin said a permanent closure would add approximately six minutes to emergency response, and that construction would proceed once Norfolk Southern approves the new right-of-way mapping plans.
- May 26 and June 8: Mr. Bonin, and then the Township’s consultant Maurice Rachad of Colliers Engineering & Design, said Norfolk Southern’s own maintenance work overlapped much of the Township’s required upgrades, which was expected to reduce the Township’s scope and cost; Mr. Rachad said the crossing improvements should be substantially complete by the end of June.
- July 27: Mr. Bonin said Norfolk Southern’s work was complete and the Township’s updated construction plans had been submitted to Norfolk Southern for approval.
- Sept. 14: Mr. Bonin said the Federal Railroad Administration hoped to issue an intent to proceed shortly, that the Township needs Norfolk Southern’s approval first, and that it hopes construction can be done this year or early next year. Christine Bliss raised the temporary quiet zone’s expiration in spring 2027.
See the April 27, June 8 and September 14, 2026 Committee meetings.
What the 2025 audit reports
The audit’s adopted/modified spending schedule gives 2025 road operations by category:
| Category | Appropriation | Paid/charged |
|---|---|---|
| Road repair and maintenance — wages | $1,746,000 | $1,548,531.60 |
| Road repair and maintenance — other expenses | $644,500 | $475,984.51 |
| Snow removal — wages | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Snow removal — other expenses | $135,000 | $111,095.79 |
| Road-improvement reserve | $1,000,000 | $997,762.50 expended, $2,237.50 reserved |
These are summarized schedules of 2025 operations, by category rather than by street.
Snow and sweeping
Mr. Bonin reminded residents on Jan. 26, 2026 that sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours of the last snowfall or a fine may result, and on Feb. 23 reported 15 to 20 inches of snow, with roads cleared and safe by midday. On Oct. 12 the Committee authorized bids for snow plowing services (Resolution No. 2026-173, 3–0). The Township’s Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, with an annual-review date of Sept. 10, 2024, states that all 89 miles of municipal roadway are swept three times per year and 10 miles of industrial roadway nine times per year, by Township staff; see flooding and stormwater.
Other traffic and road matters
- Old York Road and Route 22. On Feb. 9, 2026, Mr. Bonin said NJDOT is aware of long delays at the traffic signal at Old York Road and Route 22 and is exploring possible solutions.
- A paper street. On Sept. 14, 2026 the Committee agreed by consensus to have the Township Attorney draft an ordinance vacating a landlocked paper street next to 2228 South Branch Road, after Mr. Bonin said Engineering found no underground utilities and no feasible way to extend the road.
- Route 202 is a state highway, covered in Route 202 safety.
What comes next
- Norfolk Southern’s approval of the Township’s Lehigh Road plans, then construction of the permanent quiet-zone improvements.
- The snow plowing bid award, and the 2027 capital budget with the next year of road improvements.
What residents can do
- Read the schedules and minutes. The 2026 adopted budget, the 2025 audit and the Committee’s minutes, on the Agendas/Minutes page, are posted by the Township.
- Ask for street-level records. The street list and work schedule behind the resurfacing can be requested from the Township Clerk, Public Works or Engineering.
- Attend and speak. Township Committee meetings are the second and fourth Monday at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building courtroom.