New Loop Roads Will Change Route 206 and Route 518 Traffic Patterns in Montgomery

Nicholas Mistretta

Drivers will use new local roads to access Route 518 as direct left turns from Route 206 are eliminated

MONTGOMERY — New loop roads expected to open this summer will change how motorists travel through one of Montgomery Township’s busiest intersections, altering traffic patterns at Routes 206 and 518 as the township prepares for the opening of Montgomery Promenade.

The long-planned road network is intended to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and support safer movement through the town center area. According to Township Engineer Mark Herrmann, the project represents a major milestone in implementing a key component of Montgomery’s 2002 Master Plan.

The first of the loop roads, Brecknell Way, opened in April 2024. Three additional roads are expected to open this summer: Village Drive, near Wells Fargo Bank, which is estimated to open in late June or early July; Nevius Boulevard, within the Montgomery Promenade development; and Bolmer Corner, also within Montgomery Promenade. The Promenade roads are expected to open later this summer.

Once the new roads are open, drivers will no longer be able to make direct left turns from Route 206 onto Route 518. Instead, motorists will use the loop roads to reach Route 518.

For drivers traveling south on Route 206 and turning toward Hopewell, several options will be available. Motorists may turn right at Village Drive and continue to the traffic light at Route 518, turn right onto Brecknell Way and then right at the stop sign onto Route 518, or continue to make the direct right turn onto Route 518 as they do now.

For drivers traveling north on Route 206 and seeking to turn toward Hopewell, the direct left turn onto Route 518 will be eliminated. Those motorists will instead turn left onto Nevius Boulevard, across from Benjamin Boulevard, continue through the traffic circle and then turn left onto Route 518 at the traffic light. Drivers who miss Nevius Boulevard may use Village Drive as an alternate route.

Drivers traveling south on Route 206 and turning toward Rocky Hill also will no longer make a direct left turn onto Route 518. Instead, they will continue past Route 518 and turn right onto Bolmer Corner, which will serve as an off-ramp to Route 518. Nevius Boulevard and Village Drive also may be used as alternate routes.

Right turns onto Route 518 from either direction of Route 206 will remain unchanged.

The township is providing a traffic-pattern map to help motorists understand the changes before they take effect. An interactive map also has been created by the Engineering Department.

Township officials said public updates will continue through the municipal website, eBulletins, Nixle text alerts, social media and other outreach efforts. Montgomery is also coordinating with Somerset County and the New Jersey Department of Transportation to share information through their systems.

Temporary roadway signage will be installed in advance of the traffic change, and police officers will assist with traffic guidance during the transition. The township has also coordinated with navigation services, including Google Maps and Waze, and expects the new roads to be activated in those systems when they officially open.

Drivers are encouraged to slow down, remain alert and use caution as the new traffic patterns are introduced.

Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com