Somerset County engineers on July 22 outlined a preferred $2 million concept to reduce dangerous alternating traffic at the Griggstown Causeway by installing permanent metering signals, a westbound left‑turn lane on River Road and stop controls at two nearby intersections.

County Engineer Matthew Loper presented the plan at the work session, saying the concept keeps the existing historic one‑lane bridge while adding traffic signals to “meter” westbound and eastbound flows and reduce instances of competing traffic on the bridge. Loper said the approach was “well received” at a July public information session attended by 84 people and supported by Franklin and Montgomery township officials who attended the meeting.

Why it matters: The Griggstown Causeway is a single‑lane crossing of the Millstone River used by local drivers and through commuters. County staff described high accident rates and recurring driver behavior in which vehicles enter the single‑lane span simultaneously or use opposing lanes to bypass queued traffic; the new concept is intended to provide orderly alternating flow and improved left‑turn capacity without replacing the historic bridge.

Key facts: Loper said engineers evaluated multiple alternatives — including a two‑lane replacement, a parallel bridge and various traffic‑control technologies — and rejected them on grounds of high cost, environmental impact or traffic diversion. The preferred alternative would install permanent meter signals on the bridge approaches, add a left‑turn lane on River Road, and implement all‑way stop control at Canal Road and Bunker Hill Road on the Franklin Township side. County staff estimated the concept cost at about $2 million and projected a roughly two‑year timeline to finalize concept plans, complete preliminary engineering and permitting, acquire easements and proceed to construction bidding.

Public response and limitations: Loper said most members of the public at the information session supported the metering‑signal option because it maintains the historic one‑lane bridge and avoids removing current weight restrictions that would shift truck traffic onto nearby local roads. He emphasized the solution is intended to “provide order to the intersection and improve safety” but cautioned it will not eliminate all peak‑period delays; traffic analyses cited by staff indicate the measure improves some peak‑period movements (for example, PM peak grades improved from F to E/D in some approaches) but will not produce free‑flow conditions.

Next steps: Loper said the county will finalize concept plans, complete preliminary engineering and design, then bid and construct the project. He said permitting and acquisition of easements on the west side are immediate requirements. No formal vote or funding appropriation was taken at the July 22 work session.

Ending: County officials said they expect the changes to reduce dangerous driver behavior and improve safety while maintaining the bridge’s historic character; the project will require coordination with Franklin and Montgomery townships and state permitting agencies prior to construction.