Township of Plainsboro
Given the proximity of Mapleton Road to Carnegie Lake, an impoundment of the Millstone River, and the D & R Canal, the roadway was subject to frequent and severe flooding requiring the closure of the roadway for extended periods of time. Initial field surveys revealed that the roadway drainage system included 15 outfalls into the D & R Canal and Carnegie Lake, the majority of which were obstructed and nonfunctioning. In addition, the roadway was found to be within the flood plain of the Millstone River based on NJDEP Flood Studies.
CME Associates was instrumental in the establishment of an Interlocal Agreement between Middlesex County and the Township of Plainsboro whereby the County would improve the roadway and drainage system with the Township accepting the dedication of the roadway from the County. The Agreement also requires that the County provide a single resurfacing of the roadway within 15 years of the completion of the construction.
The 1.7 mile project had many unique or unusual design features such as extensive permitting and approval requirements Including N.J.D.E.P., Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission, New Jersey Water Supply Authority, State Historical Preservation Office And Freehold Soil Conservation District; it required improvement to drainage conditions notwithstanding restrictions due to the location of roadway within the floodplain; the design incorporated the locations of 14 existing storm sewer outfalls to lessen permitting issues as well as submerged outfalls and stone veneer on the headwalls to meet the requirements of The D&R Canal Commission's most stringent requirements; the construction was completed around unrelocatable utilities including a 30" sanitary sewerage force main, 14" high pressure petroleum pipeline and a fiberoptic communications ductbank; and portable temporary dams were utilized during construction which allowed for the work to be performed without disrupting the canal flows or the clay lining of the canal.