PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The project area spans approximately 1.7 miles of CR 514 (Hamilton Street) from Vanderbilt Avenue to the municipal/County border with New Brunswick City/Middlesex County. Located within Franklin Township, Somerset County, this stretch comprises a mix of commercial and residential properties. Commercial sites include one- and two-story retail, automotive repair and service shops, eating establishments, churches, beauty salons, banks, and grocery store-anchored shopping plazas. Residential units primarily consist of detached single-family homes west of Franklin Boulevard, while east of Franklin Boulevard, they include detached single-family homes, multi-story residential buildings, and multi-unit mixed-use buildings. Hamilton Street, classified as an urban minor arterial, features a two-lane, undivided road with a posted speed limit of 25 mph east of Franklin Boulevard and 35 mph west of Franklin Boulevard. On-street parking is allowed in designated areas. The section includes four signalized intersections, 25 unsignalized intersections, and numerous driveways.

The purpose of this project is to enhance safety along the corridor, with a primary focus on pedestrian safety. The planned improvements include curb extensions (bump-outs) to improve pedestrian visibility and reduce crossing distances, installation of new rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs), replacement or upgrade of four traffic signals, and improvements to the intersection geometry of Hamilton Street and Franklin Boulevard. The proposed improvements will replace substandard pedestrian curb ramps and sidewalks and will add new crosswalks and curb ramps to ensure ADA compliance along Hamilton Street. The roadway will be milled and paved at the end of the project, and new striping and markings will be installed.

Due to compliance with regulations set forth in Title 39 of the New Jersey Code, as well as to provide sufficient sight distance for drivers, the number and location of on-street parking spaces will change from existing conditions. Please check the documents posted on this page.

Project Information Sheet

An in-person public information meeting for this project was held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM to inform local residents, officials, businesses and the general public of the status of improvements to Hamilton Street (CR 514) from Vanderbilt Avenue to the municipal/County border with New Brunswick City/Middlesex County (Woodbridge Street) in Franklin Township.  The purpose of this meeting was to inform the public of the project’s purpose and need, proposed design, progress to date and the federal process/requirements for construction. Members of the public were able to ask questions and provide comments.

 Documents from this meeting are linked below:

Public Information Center Notice

Presentation Slides

Display Boards: Proposed Improvements 

Public Information Center Meeting Summary