|
The idea for an interchange at Greentree/Oxford State Rd has been on the planning books for decades. Not sure when the Center was built, but it likely was after the 122/75 interchange was completed.
As part of the RailRoad Xing discussion at the last council meeting, it does sound if Oxford State Road is FINALLY going to be improved around 2015. Dave said that it was to be widened to support the SunCoke project. Not sure what that means—a center turn lane or two lanes in each direction. The original plans for Oxford State Road called for it to be relocated/realigned and widened to four lanes. This would have removed the very dangerous curves that currently exist. Here’s the info taken from the current master plan found on the city’s website:
Upgrades to Existing Roadways. Oxford State Road from S.R. 4 to just west of Breiel Boulevard
has been shown on Middletown’s master plans since the 1970’s but most of this area has been
outside the City limits until recently. A very small portion remains outside the City’s control.
Right-of-way acquisition will be difficult through the west half of this project as a number of
older houses and small businesses have been built near the roadway. Two major rail lines cross
this section of Oxford State Road representing a major expense for grade separation. This
project, however, would present an alternative to the Trenton Bypass that would serve a similar
purpose while yielding more direct improvements in access to Middletown
1.3.5. Widen Oxford State Road from Breiel Boulevard to SR 73.
It says widen, but not by how much. Nothing about relocating the road.
Speaking of plans, the site of the old Target center was originally proposed as industrial, if you look at the master plan from the 1960s. I believe it is referenced as the Garfield Industrial Park. Not sure why the decision was made to develop commercial.
|