More information about Washington Road bridge closure

Washington Road is closed between Faculty Road and Nursery Road until Friday, Oct. 11 for milling, paving, and placing a new concrete overlay on the bridge over the D&R Canal.

The work is part of the bridge replacement project that began in July of 2023.

Local access will be maintained between Route 1 and Nursery Road.

Work is expected to be completed by noon on Friday, Oct. 18. If work is completed sooner, the bridge will reopen earlier.

The following detours are in place during the project:

Washington Road eastbound detour:

  • Motorists on Route 27/Nassau Street southbound wishing to travel eastbound on Washington Road will be directed to turn left onto University Place
  • At the roundabout take Alexander Street eastbound
  • Turn left to take the ramp onto Route 1 northbound
  • Stay right to take Washington Road eastbound or westbound

    or
  • From Route 27/Nassau Street northbound, turn right onto Harrison Street
  • Turn right onto Route 1 southbound
  • Stay right on Route 1 southbound to take the “All Turns” lane to CR 571/Hightstown/Princeton back to Washington Road

Washington Road westbound detour:

  • Motorists on Washington Road westbound before the Route 1 intersection wishing to cross the Washington Road Bridge over the D&R Canal will be directed to turn right onto Route 1 northbound
  • Stay right to take the Harrison Street exit
  • Turn left on Harrison Street
  • Cross Route 1 and continue on Harrison Street westbound to Princeton
  • Turn left onto Route 27/Nassau Street southbound back to Washington Road

Or

  • Motorists on Washington Road westbound before the Route 1 intersection wishing to cross the Washington Road Bridge over the D&R Canal will be directed to turn left onto Route 1 southbound
  • Take the ramp to Alexander Road westbound to Princeton
  • Continue on Alexander Road and turn right onto University Place
  • Turn right onto Route 27/Nassau Street northbound back to Washington Road

Route 1 to Washington Road northbound Detour:

Motorists traveling on Route 1 northbound or southbound wishing to travel into Princeton using Washington Street northbound will be directed to use Alexander Road/Alexander Street or South Harrison Street/Lower Harrison Street.

Pedestrian Access

Access to the D&R Canal towpath will be maintained for pedestrians and cyclists on Washington Road southbound, crossing the Washington Road Bridge over Lake Carnegie. Barriers will be in place to direct pedestrians and cyclists to the towpath a safe distance away from the active construction zone.

Pedestrians and cyclists on Washington Road northbound will not be able to access the D&R Canal towpath. Instead, they can use crossings at Alexander Street and Harrison Street.

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Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.