By Lori Savron | Posted March 26, 2026
This summer, the last of the long-planned loop roads designed to ease congestion and improve traffic flow at the Routes 206/518 intersection will open to traffic.
The loop road network was originally recommended in the 2002 Master Plan by the Planning Board and policy makers as the most effective and least disruptive solution. It was determined the loop-road system offered a more sustainable approach. It creates new connections that disperse local traffic, encouraging turns to be made before cars enter the 206/518 intersection by using Brecknell Way by Starbucks, Nevius Boulevard (Montgomery Promenade), and Village Drive – which provides direct access for residents of several developments including Montgomery Crossing, Hillside and Tapestry.
The loop roads should also reduce bottlenecks and improve safety, while enabling longer green-signal time for north–south movements along Route 206, as advanced left turning movements from Route 206 onto 518 will be eliminated by the loop roads.
In contrast, alternatives such as widening Route 206 or enlarging the intersection would have required significant property impacts, higher costs, and years of disruptive construction. These widening options also posed another challenge: transportation planners and engineers have long recognized that adding lanes may provide short-term relief but often leads to “induced demand,” where the added capacity attracts more traffic and eventually recreates the same congestion.
The loop road network option also supported the township’s 2002 policy decision to prioritize traffic dispersion over roadway expansion in order to promote pedestrian mobility within the commercial core, with plans to redevelop the original Village Shopper strip mall with Village Walk — a mixed-use center in the heart of Montgomery’s shopping district featuring Starbuck’s and Jersey Mike’s. PJ’s Pancake House is opening in May. Timing of PJ’s opening is tied to the completion of the Village Drive loop road.
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The other planned shopping center – Montgomery Promenade – which originally proposed Stop and Shop as the anchor tenant, was later swapped with Whole Foods. Once Whole Foods became attached to the project, significant progress was made with attracting other businesses including Ulta Beauty, Shake Shack, Wonder, The Robinson Ale House, Turning Point, European Wax Center, and Spavia.
Montgomery Township continues to advance its initiative to strengthen wireless cell service coverage across the community. Recent progress includes the first carrier added to the municipal center tower (as construction continues), and awarding of public bid to a tower developer for the Cherry Valley sewage treatment plant property, with construction expected to begin in the coming months. This multi-phase effort is aimed at ensuring residents, businesses, and first responders benefit from safer, more consistent, and more resilient wireless connectivity throughout Montgomery.
Due to sewer main construction, public access to the Montgomery Public Works yard at 12 Harlingen Road, Belle Mead will be temporarily closed from April 20 to approximately July 20.
The container facility located there will be closed and all appointments for large item disposal are canceled during the above time period. The large containers located in front of the yard for recyclable material drop-off will also be closed. Department of Public Works staff will be available during this time at their usual phone number 908.874.3144.
There is no recycling blue bin pick-up during this time. Bins can be obtained at the Somerset County Recycling Facility. A list of alternatives can be found on the township website.
