Route 202 safety

Route 202 is a state highway through Branchburg, under NJDOT’s jurisdiction. The Township’s record on its safety runs through Committee minutes from late 2025 and the Mayor’s October 2026 statements and letter.

Before October 2026. On Dec. 8, 2025, Township Administrator Gregory Bonin told the Committee that “the U-turn at Route 202 & Holland Brook Road will close shortly for improvements.” On Dec. 22 he said the U-turn “was recently closed by the NJDOT to prepare for future work,” and that the Township would message residents when the intersection is fully closed. On March 9, 2026, Mr. Beatrice 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. On April 27, Mr. Beatrice asked whether NJDOT had been contacted about signal timing at Route 202 and Old York Road; Mr. Bonin said NJDOT is aware of the issue. A Township plan set dated May 20, 2024 covers “Improvements to Holland Brook Road between Structure C0704 and US Highway Route 202,” including traffic-signal work at the Route 202 intersection.

The Oct. 27 statement. After a fatal crash at the Route 202 and Holland Brook Road intersection, the Township posted a statement from Mayor James Schworn. It says improvements to the state-controlled highway “fall under NJDOT’s sole authority,” that the Township had discussed safety improvements with NJDOT, including earlier plans for a developer to fund certain traffic improvements as part of its approved site plan, and that the Township was compiling accident information, would contact NJDOT, and “will explore financing the necessary improvements ourselves” if funding stands in the way.

The Oct. 28 letter. The Mayor’s letter to NJDOT Commissioner Priya Jain, titled a “FORMAL DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE CLOSURE OF UNSIGNALIZED CROSSINGS AND DANGEROUS U-TURNS ALONG ROUTE 202 IN BRANCHBURG TOWNSHIP,” states that the community experienced four fatalities and numerous serious non-fatal motor vehicle accidents on Route 202 over the past two years, the most recent fatality two days before. It requests that NJDOT immediately close all unsignalized crossings, including unsignalized U-turns; asks for a meeting with NJDOT leadership, a concrete timetable and interim measures without waiting for a comprehensive analysis; and states the Township will pursue every available option, including direct action to close or restrict hazardous crossings, if NJDOT does not act.

The Oct. 30 status statement. The Mayor said he had written the Commissioner about the Route 202–Holland Brook Road intersection, that the Township “received a positive response and have been advised that NJDOT is actively working toward a solution,” and that he 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 said the Township will remain involved and he will provide status updates.

What residents can do. Read the Oct. 28 letter and the Oct. 30 statement, and ask at Township Committee meetings (second and fourth Mondays, 7 p.m.) about NJDOT’s response, the timetable and any proposed traffic changes.