The work in the Scotch Road median is not related to sewer or water lines. As per our Mercer County approval, we are required to add dedicated left turn-in lanes within the Scotch Road median to access both the Hopewell Parc South and Hopewell Parc North sections. Please recall that due to the extensive environmentally sensitive site features, including wetlands, separating the South and North Sections of Hopewell Parc, we needed to have two separate entrances from Scotch Road to the community. At this time, we started the work on the left turn access for the North Section. This entry turning lane will be within the median where trees have been removed. In about 3 to 4 weeks, we plan to start the left turn lane median work for the South Section entrance.

Regarding the trees removed, we have removed approximately 8 trees with approximately another 7 trees still to be removed for the North access. The South Section median work is expected to result in the removal of about 5 trees. Please know we worked with 3 landscape contractors to determine if they would be able to save and replant the trees. Unfortunately, they would not undertake the work. Each expressed concern that it would not be a safe work environment to save mature trees in a roadway median and concern that the trees would not survive removal and replanting. However, our Hopewell Parc development plans do include planting in excess of 3,000 new trees!

The work in the Scotch Road median is an important part of the Hopewell Parc development process. We are excited to take these steps to move forward with the Hopewell Parc inclusionary community.