A New Road in Montgomery Township, Named for Local Historian Ursula Brecknell, Is Now Open

By Barbara A. Preston | Posted April 24, 2024 (Updated at 4 pm.)

The first of four new loop roads coming to the busy intersection at routes 206 and 518 opened on Tuesday, April 24. The road is named for Montgomery Township historian Ursula Brecknell.

Brecknell was a Van Harlingen Historical Society trustee who lived in Belle Mead. She died at age 89 in 2011. She was widely known for her extensive knowledge of local history and Dutch architecture and her public service.

Township officials say the opening of Brecknell Way will help ease congestion along Route 206 at Route 518.

Brecknell Way (highlighted in yellow). Drivers may access and exit the road from either Route 206 or Route 518 by turning right only. Traffic signs on the roadways make this clear.

Officials and partners held a ribbon cutting ceremony on the new road this week. Montgomery Mayor Neena Singh said, “Montgomery has long planned for the creation of linkages to ease traffic along Route 206 on our southern end. It is a great day to see this road opened."

Sidewalks along Brecknell Way will offer pedestrians a safe route to nearby shops and restaurants.

Sharbell Development Corporation (Montgomery Crossing, Hillside, Tapesty, and the Apartments at Montgomery Crossing) and Pugliese Properties (Village Walk), were key collaborators with township officials on the road project.

The other three loop roads include Village Drive, which is under construction by Wells Fargo Bank in the Village Walk with access from Route 206 by the Montgomery Cinema in the Montgomery Shopping Center. (See map below).

Above: Village Drive is highlighted in blue. When complete, it will connect Route 206 by Montgomery Cinemas to Route 518.

SJC Ventures, who are building The Montgomery Promenade south of Route 518 (aka Washington Street), will install road improvements including two loop roads there. The promenade is a 292,700-sq ft Whole Foods Market-anchored shopping center.

>> Read New Road Named for Montgomery Township Historian (The Montgomery News, Nov. 9, 2023)

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Participating in the ribbon cutting were Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker; Montgomery Township Mayor Neena Singh, Committeepersons Devra Keenan and Dennis Ahn; Township Administrator Lori Savron and Township Engineer Mark Herrmann; Vince Pugliese and sons of Pugliese Properties, LLC; Mark Cannuli of Sharbell Development Corporation; engineering consultant Joseph Fishinger; and Township planning board members; and planning and engineering and traffic safety staff.

Montgomery Mayor Neena Singh and other officials cut the ribbon to open Brecknell Way, a connector road that bypasses the Route 206 / 518 intersection to help alleviate congestion at this busy area of town. (Photo courtesy of Montgomery Township.)