Penns Neck Circle
Encyclopedia
Penns Neck Circle is a traffic circle
in West Windsor Township, New Jersey
. It is located at the junction of U.S. 1
and Washington Road
. It is a major intersection, as Washington Road is one of three connections between Route 1 and Princeton, New Jersey
.
While technically a traffic circle, the Penn's Neck Circle has been modified to closely resemble a traditional intersection. It is signal controlled, and Route 1 passes through the circle at grade level, making the circle essentially a set of four turning lanes around a straight-only intersection. This arrangement is unsatisfactory, resulting in traffic backups on both Washington Road and Route 1. At peak hours, a vehicle attempting to go straight along Washington Road or to make any left turn must wait through several light cycles to complete the maneuver.
Exacerbating this congestion are the businesses located at the intersection. Until recently, all four quadrants were occupied by gas stations, adding frequently-used entrance ramps to the mix of multi-directional traffic. The northeast quadrant is now occupied by an AT&T telephone store.
Traffic circle
A traffic circle or rotary is a type of circular intersection in which traffic must travel in one direction around a central island. In some countries, traffic entering the circle has the right-of-way and drivers in the circle must yield. In many other countries, traffic entering the circle must...
in West Windsor Township, New Jersey
West Windsor Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of Census 2010, West Windsor had a population of 27,165. The median age was 39.6. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 54.9% White, 3.7% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 37.7% Asian, 1.0% some other race and 2.6% reporting two or more races...
. It is located at the junction of U.S. 1
U.S. Route 1 in New Jersey
U.S. Route 1 is a United States highway which parallels the East Coast of the United States, running from Key West, Florida in the south to Fort Kent, Maine at the Canadian border in the north. Of the entire length of the route, of it runs through New Jersey...
and Washington Road
County Route 571 (New Jersey)
County Route 571, abbreviated CR 571, is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Route 37 in Toms River Township to Route 27 in the Borough of Princeton.-Ocean County:...
. It is a major intersection, as Washington Road is one of three connections between Route 1 and Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It is best known as the location of Princeton University, which has been sited in the community since 1756...
.
While technically a traffic circle, the Penn's Neck Circle has been modified to closely resemble a traditional intersection. It is signal controlled, and Route 1 passes through the circle at grade level, making the circle essentially a set of four turning lanes around a straight-only intersection. This arrangement is unsatisfactory, resulting in traffic backups on both Washington Road and Route 1. At peak hours, a vehicle attempting to go straight along Washington Road or to make any left turn must wait through several light cycles to complete the maneuver.
Exacerbating this congestion are the businesses located at the intersection. Until recently, all four quadrants were occupied by gas stations, adding frequently-used entrance ramps to the mix of multi-directional traffic. The northeast quadrant is now occupied by an AT&T telephone store.