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Route 202 Safety in Branchburg, Explained: The Holland Brook Intersection, the Mayor's Letter and NJDOT
What the Township Committee heard about Route 202 and Holland Brook Road from December 2025 to April 2026 — the NJDOT U-turn closure and the planned signal — and what Mayor James Schworn said and asked of NJDOT after the October 2026 fatal crash there, in his Oct. 27 statement, Oct. 28 letter and Oct. 30 update.
The short version
- Route 202 is a state highway. The Mayor’s Oct. 27, 2026 statement says improvements to it “fall under NJDOT’s sole authority.”
- In December 2025, NJDOT closed the Route 202 U-turn at Holland Brook Road “to prepare for future work,” the Township Administrator told the Committee. In March 2026 he said the proposed traffic signal there should be in place within the next year.
- After a fatal crash at that intersection, Mayor James Schworn on Oct. 28, 2026 formally demanded NJDOT immediately close all unsignalized Route 202 crossings and U-turns in Branchburg, citing four fatalities in two years.
- On Oct. 30 he said NJDOT had responded positively and was working toward a solution, and that closure without a comprehensive traffic safety assessment could shift risk to residential streets and the Old York Road crossing.
What the Committee heard, December 2025 to April 2026
| Date | Who | What the minutes record |
|---|---|---|
| Dec. 8, 2025 | Administrator Gregory Bonin | ”The U-turn at Route 202 & Holland Brook Road will close shortly for improvements.” |
| Dec. 22, 2025 | Mr. Bonin | ”The Holland Brook Road and Route 202 U-turn intersection was recently closed by the NJDOT to prepare for future work. When the intersection is fully closed, we will send messages out to inform residents.” |
| Jan. 5, 2026 | Mr. Owens | There was a serious accident on Route 202 on New Year’s Eve; two officers on the scene became ill and went to the hospital |
| March 9, 2026 | Mr. Beatrice, Mr. Bonin | Asked about the timeline for the proposed traffic signal at Route 202 and Holland Brook Road, Mr. Bonin said “it should be in place within the next year” |
| April 27, 2026 | Mr. Beatrice, Mr. Bonin | Asked whether NJDOT had been contacted about the timing of the signals at Route 202 and Old York Road, Mr. Bonin said NJDOT is aware of the issue |
See the December 8 and December 22, 2025 and March 9, 2026 Committee meetings.
The Township’s three October statements
| Date | Record | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 27, 2026 | Township post: statement from Mayor Schworn on Route 202–Holland Brook Road intersection safety | Condolences after the recent fatal accident at the intersection; improvements to the state-controlled highway “fall under NJDOT’s sole authority”; the Township had discussed safety improvements with NJDOT, including earlier plans “having a developer fund certain traffic improvements as part of its approved site plan”; the Township is “compiling available accident information,” will contact NJDOT, and “will explore financing the necessary improvements ourselves” if funding stands in the way |
| Oct. 28, 2026 | Mayor’s letter to NJDOT Commissioner Priya Jain | A “formal demand” for immediate closure of all unsignalized Route 202 crossings in Branchburg, including unsignalized U-turns; a requested meeting with NJDOT leadership, a concrete timetable and interim measures “without waiting for the completion of a comprehensive analysis”; a stated intent to pursue “every available option,” including direct action to close or restrict hazardous crossings and turning movements, if NJDOT does not act |
| Oct. 30, 2026 | Mayor’s status statement | He wrote the Commissioner about the Route 202–Holland Brook Road intersection; “We received a positive response and have been advised that NJDOT is actively working toward a solution”; he understands suggestions to close the intersection but believes closure without a comprehensive traffic safety assessment would shift risk, potentially pushing heavy traffic onto residential streets and forcing drivers to cross Route 202 at Old York Road (Centerville); he thanked the Commissioner for the prompt response and said the Township will remain involved and he will provide updates |
The Oct. 28 letter states that over the past two years the community “has experienced four fatalities and numerous serious, non-fatal motor vehicle accidents” on Route 202, and that “the most recent fatality occurred just two days ago.” It says residents are demanding action and expect the Township to act if NJDOT does not close the crossings, and that “while the State has jurisdiction over this roadway,” residents expect local government to pursue every lawful avenue. It was copied to Governor Mikie Sherrill, federal and state legislators, the Township Committee, Police Chief Richard Buck and several news outlets.
The Oct. 28 letter asks for immediate closure of all unsignalized crossings; the Oct. 30 statement cautions against closure without a comprehensive assessment. Both are the Mayor’s words, set side by side.
What already exists on the corridor
- A Township plan set for Holland Brook Road, dated May 20, 2024. Prepared by Bright View Engineering, LLC for the Township of Branchburg (Township Engineer Douglas Ball, P.E.), it covers “Improvements to Holland Brook Road between Structure C0704 and US Highway Route 202” in five sheets — title and key plan, legend and general notes, construction plan, grading and drainage, and signing and striping — including traffic-signal elements (mast arms, signal heads and pedestrian signals) at the Route 202 intersection. The title sheet carries a 2024 committee roster (Mayor Anna Columbus; Deputy Mayor Thomas Young; Committeepersons Schworn, Beatrice and Owens) and an “Approved for Construction By:” line.
- NJDOT’s Route 202 and Old York Road improvements. A Township news post describes NJDOT work at that intersection: removing the U-turns at the north and south approaches, lengthening the left-turn queues, widening to three through lanes in each direction, and drainage and signal improvements, with a roughly four-month detour. The page carries no publication date; its linked plan and detour files carry August 2024 web timestamps.
What comes next
- NJDOT’s response to the Oct. 28 letter and any interim measures, closures or timetable.
- The Holland Brook Road signal, which Mr. Bonin said in March 2026 should be in place within a year.
- The Township Committee’s next regular meeting, Nov. 9, 2026, at 7 p.m.
What residents can do
- Read the Township’s records: the Oct. 28 letter, the Oct. 30 status statement and the Committee’s minutes on the Agendas/Minutes page.
- Ask for the correspondence. NJDOT’s reply can be requested from the Township Clerk or NJDOT.
- Attend and speak. Township Committee meetings are the second and fourth Monday at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building courtroom.