Route 23 Safety Improvements Project

Route 23, Master Street to Scenic Lake Road

Safety Improvements Project

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Franklin Borough and Hamburg Borough

Sussex County, New Jersey

Project Background

The Route 23, Master Street to Scenic Lake Road Safety Improvements Project was initiated by the New Jersey Department of Transportation's Bureau of Safety, Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs (BSBPP) due to safety concerns along this two-mile segment of Route 23 between Master Street and Scenic Lake Road (Mileposts 33.96 to 35.96) in Franklin and Hamburg Boroughs, Sussex County, New Jersey. The corridor ranks #19 on the 2023 NJDOT State Roadway Segment List, with 290 crashes reported between 2017 and 2021 (including fatal and serious injury incidents), highlighting the need for intervention. The project aims to align with NJDOT’s Complete Streets Policy and Safe System Approach to address a higher-than-average crash rate and improve safety for all users, particularly pedestrians and bicyclists.

Project Description

The Concept Development (CD) phase of the project seeks to identify and evaluate alternatives that will improve safety and mobility along this segment of Route 23 for all users, including motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Project Location

The project is located on Route 23 between Master Street and a point a tenth of a mile north of Fairview Avenue in the Boroughs of Franklin and Hamburg, Sussex County, New Jersey. This segment functions as an Urban Principal Arterial with posted speeds of 35–40 mph and averages approximately 17,516 vehicles per day, as of June 2025. The roadway includes one lane in each direction, limited shoulders, and inconsistent sidewalks. Key nearby destinations include the Hamburg Fire Department and Hamburg School (pre-k through 8th grade), with local transit service on the corridor provided by Sussex County Skylands Ride. The corridor includes 18 intersections, two of which are signalized, and is characterized by a mix of residential and commercial land uses.

Project Survey

NJDOT is seeking feedback from residents, commuters, and community members to understand the use, challenges, and opportunities for improvement of Route 23. Please complete the survey below to share your thoughts and concerns. The survey will be open from <<placeholder dates>> December 8, 2025 to December 31, 2025.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY

Contact Us

For further information, please contact:

Route 23 Safety Improvements Project Team

E-mail: route23safetyproject@stvinc.com

997 Lennox Drive, Suite 102

Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

Phone: 609.963.1741