Dangerous intersection for pedestrians gets WW attention
Crossing near train station termed most dangerous

By Greg Forester, Staff Writer
Tuesday, November 20, 2007 5:41 AM EST

   WEST WINDSOR — Money will be set aside to improve what was labeled as the township’s most dangerous intersection during a presentation by representatives from the West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance last week.

   Township Council members said they supported funding pedestrian improvements in the form of additional crosswalks, trimming of view-restricting brush, and the repair of a broken pedestrian-activated signal for the Route 571 and Cranbury and Wallace roads intersection, following the report on the perils of the roadways, located in the heart of Princeton Junction.

   ”When it gets to budget season you will have a very supportive council behind you,” Councilwoman Linda Geevers said.

   Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance President Ken Carlson said 30 members observed the intersection on Oct. 9 to determine what the specific problems were and what could be done.

   ”Serious flaws exist for pedestrians who are trying to get through this intersection,” Mr. Carlson said.

   The problems noted in the presentation included the presence of only a single, poorly marked crosswalk, either a complete lack of or the presence of severely deteriorated sidewalks, and poor overhead lighting, especially during the now darkened evening rush hour. Also, the only pedestrian-activated signal at the intersection is broken.

   These conditions are exacerbated by the high volume of cars traveling at high speed, Mr. Carlson said.

   All of these problems create a seriously dangerous situation, given the large number of pedestrians crossing the intersection to get to the nearby Princeton Junction train station, according to members of the alliance.

   While the intersection was under observation by alliance members, two “near-misses” occurred when pedestrians were almost struck, according to Mr. Carlson.

   Councilman Charles Morgan said part of the problem was growth in West Windsor and other areas around the intersection, which predates much of the recent development in the township.

   ”The rest of the township grew, but that intersection hasn’t,” Mr. Morgan said.

   Township Council members said they would move to have some preliminary improvements done as quickly as possible, such as removal of overgrown brush on the Route 571 bridge that severely restricted views of the intersection.

   ”There are some low-lying fruit that can be had,” said Councilwoman Heidi Kleinman. “There are such small steps that we could do to make an improvement, and then we will make sure there is money in the budget.”

   Resident Joseph Licaradello said he used to cross the roadways near the intersection decades ago to get his mail from the old post office that used to be located in Princeton Junction.

   ”If I wanted to cross that road now, I would have to do it in a vehicle,” Mr. Licaradello said.

   Mr. Carlson said that county officials, including County Engineer George A. Fallat, were amazed at the numbers of pedestrians that actually crossed the roadways during the observation period.

   The group estimated that 60 to 80 people crossed the intersection during each busy period in the morning and evening hours.

   Additional improvement to the intersection is expected in about three year’s time, based on statements from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, which is the Metropolitan Planning Organization ultimately responsible for studying the intersection and fixing it, Mr. Carlson said.