The proposed widening of Route 206 has taken center stage in the race for mayor of Byram Township, in New Jersey’s Sussex County. Current Mayor Michael Marotte has actively opposed the state Dept. of Transportation’s plan to add two lanes to the highway, which runs through the center of Byram (MTR #374).Sussex County Emergency Management Director Eskil “Skip” Danielson, who is challenging the mayor, is in favor of the expansion.

“I was not particularly crazy about the current council’s approach to the Route 206 problem,” Danielson told the Star-Ledger. “I think an expansion is necessary, although I’m not sure I fully agree with the (DOT) plans hanging on the wall at town hall. I'm in favor of working with the DOT to come up with a viable solution.” 

Marotte told the paper that the town council has been working with DOT, but wants a scaled-back project that does not conflict with the township’s efforts to create a pedestrian-friendly main street.  Byram has received an $80,000 smart growth grant from the Office of State Planning to revitalize its downtown.

In May, Mayor Marotte sent a letter to state officials, writing “This plan far exceeds what is necessary to resolve the rush-hour and weekend traffic congestion. This project will destroy several small businesses along 206 and cut our Township in two – thus effectively destroying our long-standing plans for a village center there.”

In response, the NJ Environmental Protection Commissioner Bradley Campbell and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority have urged DOT to rethink the project. 

Anti-Sprawl Effort, Road Plan Collide (July 15, 2002)

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