The West Windsor Bike and
Pedestrian Alliance made a presentation to the township council at its November
13 meeting regarding the obstacles facing pedestrians crossing the intersection
of Route 571 and Wallace and Cranbury Roads.
Ken Carlson, the president
of the alliance, who made the presentation, said the alliance held a walk in
October at the intersection to observe the movements of people for two hours as
they came off the train and proceeded through the intersection. They interviewed
the commuters, witnessed two near-missed where a pedestrian was almost struck by
a car, and saw various other serious flaws.
“The bike and pedestrian
alliance considers this the most dangerous intersection in the township,
bar-none for pedestrians and cyclists,” Carlson said.
From the study, the
alliance determined that about 60 to 80 people cross the intersection twice a
day during rush hour. Recommendations he suggested included adding additional
crosswalks, improving the existing crosswalk on the south side of Route 571,
cutting back the brush along the bridge to give drivers better sight of
pedestrians, adding bright yellow pedestrian crossing signs, placing curb cuts
to make the crossings accessible for wheelchairs, installing other signage, and
placing temporary sidewalks on the road until the county improves it, which is
still three years away.
He also urged the council to put some pressure on
the state Department of Transportation, which along with the township and
county, has jurisdiction there. Council said it would allocate funds in this
year’s budget for improvements. Meanwhile, it said it would do some work,
including, cutting back the brush along the bridg