Branchburg pushes for safety improvements at Route 202 intersection after deadly crash

Yeah, this is a busy highway with a speed limit of 55 miles per hour. It was back on Monday early evening when a tractor trailer and a car crashed. That car caught fire. The driver died. He was a resident of Branchburg, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. And that crash does remain under investigation. This is Route 202 and Holland Brook Road intersection that the mayor of Branchburg says has been an ongoing concern. He says Any safety improvements would have to come from the NJDOT since this is a state-controlled highway. But after this deadly crash, he says the township is going to have to take a more proactive approach with the state in making any improvements here to prevent further fatalities. And he said if funding is going to be a roadblock, the township would explore options in paying for this as well. Looking at New Jersey State Police fatal crash statistics, Six people have been killed on Route 202 in Branchburg in the past five years. So you understand the concern people have about this highway that does have shops and businesses along it. I think everybody needs to slow down, if you ask my honest opinion. People are driving too fast. They're cutting people off. They're not paying attention. They're on their phones. I see it all the time. It's crazy. I come out early, so it's not as bad. But, you know, later on, there's a lot more traffic. And that is what all the drivers have been telling us that we've talked to this morning. They think everyone needs to pay more attention, drive more cautiously. The township hoping that any improvements here would make the highway safer. In Branchburg, Lauren Du, News 12 New Jersey.