Princeton Junction
Neighborhoods' Coalition

Meetings


Princeton Junction Neighborhoods Meeting
March 7, 2005 Meeting -- 7:00PM

SUMMARY

Route 571: Interim Improvements:

Meg Chicco and Susan Conlon reported on their meeting with Mercer County Director of Transportation Aaron Watson and Mercer County Traffic Engineer George Fallet in Trenton, on 03-03-05; the county is interested in implementing interim improvements to Route 571 between Cranbury/Wallace Road and Clarksville Road to include the following: lane striping, road patching/paving, a marked crosswalk at Sherbrooke, push-button devices activated by pedestrians at crosswalks, possible restrictions of right-on-red during school hours at Clarksville/Route 571 intersection, and action for approval from the state for a protected left turn arrow on the signal at Wallace Road. County officials expressed that they would like to start the interim improvements this year, in spring or early summer.

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.

Route 571: Longer-term Improvements:

We also spent time going over the concept plan for the longer-term improvements and there is much optimism that there will be action to make 571 both safer and more attractive. The different concept plans were up on display in the room and residents had an opportunity to review. (NOTE: the plans are also now available in PDF format on the PJNC website.)

There was broad agreement that the conditions of Route 571 require much-needed attention and to get the ball rolling to seek action for its improvement.

There was a request to install a sidewalk on Route 571 between Alexander Road and Clarksville Road (none currently exists) with a crosswalk at Alexander Road and Route 57.

There was a request to pay attention in the design for Route 571 in terms of where the road narrows from two to one travel lane (west from Clarksville Road) in consideration of the access by residents in and out of their driveways.

There was a discussion of a pedestrian signaled light at Sherbrooke and Route 571.

There was also a discussion and putting in a traffic light at the intersection of Sherbrooke Drive and Route 571, there were comments expressed both in favor and opposed of a light. In either case, the required engineering will require extensive work and would have to be included in the long-term improvements to the county, not as part of the interim measures.

People expressed support for a lower speed limit on Route 571 between Cranbury/Wallace Roads and Clarksville Road, and its enforcement. There are inconsistent limits posted currently, including two different limits on the same portion of road between Alexander and Clarksville depending upon the direction.

There was a request to put the concept plans for Route 571 up the PJNC website – done.

Mayor Hsueh attended the meeting and said that the plans for Route 571 will also include potential design for improvements to the streetscape and they will be presented at the planning board meeting on 3-16-05. The mayor agreed, when asked, to accept a list from PJNC of potential road, crosswalk and other safety improvement suggestions generated by residents of the Princeton Junction neighborhoods.

The following are questions for follow-up from West Windsor Township officials:

The concept plans will be presented and discussed at the next meeting of the West Windsor Township Planning Board on Wednesday March 16, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. All were encouraged to attend.

Review proposed PJNC website:

Giuliano Chicco presented a draft for the Princeton Junction Neighborhoods’ Coalition website he created and it was reviewed; there were suggestions to include a history section, photos of Princeton Junction, and capacity to receive and send email. NOTE: The website went online on 04-01-05, and out address is www.princetononline.org/pjnc

Quality of Life and Community Development:

Farrell Delman talked about some of the community-involvement projects we would like to promote, including inviting PJ residents to volunteer at the Farmers' Market, the park for the community in front of the Gables on Alexander Road, and a social event out at a local PJ restaurant that would be a benefit for a non-profit: