TRAFFIC, TRANSPORTATION AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ISSUES:

There was agreement that there needs to be a raised awareness to identify and direct attention toward improvements to ensure critical safety and quality of life concerns faced by residents living in Princeton Junction neighborhoods. Connect the neighborhoods now bisected by the train tracks with safe pedestrian and bicycle access to destinations on both sides of the tracks in Princeton Junction.

• Provide emergency vehicle access to all neighborhoods.
• Enforce load limits on trucks and vehicles, and the existing speed limits, and advocate for reductions in speed limits where needed;
• Establish clear “map” indicating responsibility and jurisdiction of the state, county and municipality for roads and crosswalks.
• Strive in planning and enforcement for a balance between traffic moving vs. traffic calming.
• Install traffic calming devices and enforce speed limits throughout Princeton Junction.
• Traffic Calming: moving people in cars + safety of pedestrians
• Identify high-sped traffic and "cut-through" routes in neighborhoods, and strive for a balance of calming and moving traffic and enforcement of limits; some of the specific comments referred to (in the order mentioned):
  • Intersection at Vaughn Drive (needs left turn signal)
  • Suffolk & Sara Lanes (needs light mechanism)
  • Alexander at the Gables, lower speed-limit needed
  • Enforce load limit on Alexander Road bridge
  • Crosswalks on Bear Brook Road
  • West Windsor-Plainsobor High School South speed zone on 571 and Clarkesville Road needs enforcement; Conditions of morning traffic in front of the school on Clarkesville Road is highly dangerous
  • Sherbrooke Drive/Route 571 Crosswalk
  • Clarksville Road at 571, light is too short, no pedestrian timing
  • Better-manage traffic and speed-limit enforcement Washington Road through Penns Neck
  • Protected left turn from Rt. 571 onto Wallace Road going to Train Station
  • Safer speed limits for Clarkesville Road

TRANSIT VILLAGE & Rt. 571 ISSUES:

The design of the transit village should have an appropriate scale and connect surrounding neighborhoods, not separate them. There were also concerns expressed about the density and sustainability of the development. The proposed Transit Village concept plan document was available on the West Windsor Township Website and then removed; residents have requested that it be made available again.

Transit village and Rt. 571 = "Smart Growth"

The current Princeton Junction central core needs improvements, specifically:

• Connectivity of sidewalks and pedestrian linkages between neighborhoods
• Improved lighting and visibility for motorists and pedestrians
• ADA-compliant access & pedestrian amenities

Use the model of Alexander Road at Berrien City with improved crosswalks and middle-of-the-road pedestrian signs; the improvements help to clam traffic and say “neighborhood".

An overview of actions related to seeking improvements addressing safety on Route 571 were expressed, including the April 1, 2004 Neighborhood Walk organized by Meg Chicco and Susan Conlon, in which local, county and state officials participated and walked with residents and experienced first-hand what it is like to walk home at night from the Princeton Junction train station and see the need for improvements to the roads and sidewalks; and the follow-up walk conducted by Meg and Susan with representatives from NJDOT to more closely address the intersection of Route 571 and Cranbury/Wallace Roads, Sherbrooke Drive and Route 571, and Alexander Road between Berrien Avenue and Wallace Road. Improvements for these locations are included in the Orth-Rodgers planning study by NJDOT, currently pending approval from the West Windsor Township planning board for inclusion in the township’s master plan.

Mercer County officials from their transportation and engineering departments (Aaron T. Watson, Director of Transportation, Greg Sandusky, and George Fallet) attended the meeting and expressed the county’s commitment to improving conditions on Route 571:

$500,000 is intended for re-design of Route 571 between Clarksville and Cranbury/Wallace Roads, with the objective to “engineer the road for a slower, safer speed.” Watson suggested that there is some consensus on a concept plan, the county can move ahead in as early as 3-4 years". The next steps are for the concept plan to be presented at the planning board and then to the township council for a resolution of support, specifically for a concept plan or as reference to the concept plan.

Residents suggested some immediate improvements to the roadway, including lighting, re-stripping to designate lanes, Sherbrooke crosswalk, timed, push-button activated pedestrian crosswalks, and improvements to deficiencies in the road surface where needed. Residents also seek a lower, consistent speed limit and its enforcement for this part of Route 571.

Quality of Life & Community Issues

• What do we want for the quality of life?
• What do we need for Princeton Junction?
• What brings the community together and what provides services closer to the people who want and need them?

We would like more "third places" in Princeton Junction, coffee shops, “restaurant-row”, gathering places, community garden and parks, Farmers Market (May to November) and the late, lamented "Lick It," etc.

With regard to planning and safety concerns, the lack of connectivity between the neighborhoods on either side of the Rail Road Tracks and current condition of our infrastructure impedes community.

The coalition seeks to help identify residents’ concerns and facilitate action for improvements, and improve overall communication with West Windsor Township officials, staff and other groups working to benefit the community.

How might the residents get assistance if they need help with snow removal? What is the best method to report a problem that needs attention, i.e. clearing branches around streetlights, reporting burned-out streetlights.

Provide liaison to planning board process; township should consider mediators if necessary to facilitate open communication.

The township should provide information on the development process, and define terms and conditions so that people understand the impacts.

• What is an “area of rehabilitation” designation?
• What is gained or given up in return?
• Residents are concerned about tax credits and fiscal responsibility.