Minutes from the April 14^th, 2005 Mayor’s Bicycle/Pedestrian Task Force Meeting

Meeting Attendees: Roger Alig, Jeff Bloom, Ken Carlson, Meg Chicco, Susan Conlon, Matt Elliot, Barry Keppard, Daryl MacMillan, Alison Miller, Art Pope, Chris Scherer, Sandy Shapiro, Mark Waltman

Web site: http://www.princetonol.com/groups/bikeped/

GENERAL BUSINESS

o We were joined tonight by Mark Waltman. Mark is a WW resident who lives on Cranbury Road. Mark commutes daily to the train station either by walking or cycling.

o Special Presentation on Pedals for Progress- Bob Zeh, a Board member from Pedals for Progress, gave a presentation including a short video, on the organization. Mireille Delman, board member of the West Windsor Community Farmers' Market, Erin Conlon, and Matt Elliot were also present for the presentation. Erin and Matt will help publicize the event at High School South and organize student volunteers. Bob answered questions and gave us a good idea what to expect on the day of the event. The Pedals for Progress Bike Drive is scheduled for June 18^th at the West Windsor Community Farmers’ market from 9 AM to 1 PM.

TRAILS

o Millstone River Trail Trailbreaking- Ken C, Art and others talked about the Millstone River Trail groundbreaking event held on April 3^rd and updated the group on the status of the trail. Since the trailbreaking, there have been two additional trail-clearing days. Alison reminded us that one of the conditions of the grant is a 25% match from FOWWOS and that FOWWOS and the township will need to keep track of the hours put in by township staff and volunteers. Jeff suggested that we speak to the DEP official in charge of the grant (Larry Miller) and ask how to officially track the matching portion.

o Big Bear Brook Trail- Roger gave an update on the Rogers Preserve Trail and the Bear Brook Trail. On March 20^th Roger led a group of Task Force members and other residents on a walk of the two trails. The Rogers Preserve Trail will be straightforward to develop and can begin as soon as the closing on the property occurs. The Bear Brook Trail will require more planning. It will likely start at Stobbe Lane, proceed to JoAnn Street and then through the Astura property to the newly acquired Gunther property and will eventually link up to the Millstone River Trail. To connect the Rogers Preserve and Bear Brook Trail will require crossing Cranbury Road in the vicinity of Stobbe Lane. It was discussed that this may be difficult as the sight distances for motorists are very short in this stretch of the road. Ken C has arranged for Sam Surtees to come to the May 3^rd FOWWOS meeting to share his ideas for these trails.

o Maintenance of Trails, Bikelanes, and Sidewalks- Sandy brought up the question of how we are going to maintain existing and future trails, bikelanes, and sidewalks. Alison informed us that there is an ordinance being written on the timing of lawn debris being left out at curbside. It was discussed that the ordinance should be amended to reflect that debris should not be left on roads that contain bikelanes. It was discussed that there should be a mechanism by which the township is alerted re sidewalks that are in dis-repair, over-hanging branches, lawn debris in shoulders, etc. Questions were also raised about clearing public sidewalks (e.g., at the Arboretum) of snow in the winter. A big component of the overall maintenance issue will be a public education campaign.

GRANTS

o Safe Routes and Bikelanes Grants- Ken informed the Task Force about the Township’s application for the Safe Routes to School Grant for Route 571 between Lanwyn Boulevard and Slayback Drive and of the Bikelanes Grant for the D&R Canal Towpath Extension on the West Windsor side of the Canal (a re-submission of our TEA-21 application from last year). Ken told the Task Force members that Jim Parvesse said the township was taken by surprise by the accelerated timetable for the grants- it was due in early April instead of the usual June deadline causing the township to act fast to come up with grant proposals. Task Force members expressed their disappointment that township officials did not first communicate with the Task Force to discuss potential projects, especially since improved communication was recently stressed with Chris Marion. The question was raised how the Task Force should stay apprised of pending grant deadlines. It was decided that Task Force members should be selected to track specific grant deadlines.

o TEA-21 Grant- Susan spoke of applying for a TEA-21 Grant to re-engineer Alexander Road at the S curve and to provide a sidewalk on the south side to connect from the existing sidewalk on the Princeton side to Canal Point Boulevard. Susan said that the township had previous plans to apply for grants for this project. We will need to discuss the potential project with Jim Parvesse, find out if this project fits under the criteria for a TEA-21, and determine the grant deadlines. It was discussed that we should also line up support from Princeton and Rush Holt for this application. {Note after meeting:- Susan spoke with Jim Parvesse and Jim said that as part of looking to make improvements to those intersections/roadways identified in the high-accident report it is likely that this is a project that the township will consider funding w/out grant as soon as possible. This would include improvements to the crosswalk at the canal, road surface improvement, engineering work to the road, and a new sidewalk from the canal to Canal Point Boulevard }.

o Recreational Trails Grant- A few possibilities were discussed for next December’s Recreational Trail Grant. One would be the Rogers Preserve Trail and another would be a macadam path from the D&R Canal Towpath to the Canal Pointe Boulevard jughandle along the North-side of Alexander Road. Roger and Bruce have been backing this path idea as a way for West Windsor residents to access the Canal and bypass the Alexander Road S curve. This path could also be ultimately linked to the bike/ped bridge over Route 1.

PLANNING

o Council Meeting on 4/11- Susan, Ken N., and Art attended the Township Council Meeting on 4/11. At this meeting, Jim Parvesse and Shing spoke about road projects for the coming year and discussed fifteen of the township's most dangerous intersections. Nine of these intersections are along Alexander Road and include the Alexander Road "S" curve west of Canal Pointe Boulevard. Barry said the GMTMA is looking into transportation options for people who work along Alexander Road. Jim and Shing spoke about the Meadow Road project. Meadow Road was on the Master Plan as a four lane roadway, but recent plans are for two travel lanes, a center turning lane, 6 foot bikelanes, and sidewalks. However, there appears to be wetland constraints that may not provide enough right of way for sidewalks. The Task Force feels that this would be very unfortunate and suggests further review.

o Planning Board Review of Orth-Rodgers Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan- Ken C, Susan, Art, and Alison attended the April 13^th meeting of the Planning Board where Urbitran and Maser Consultants gave their review of the ORA Bike/Ped Plan. Ken C read a letter written by various Task Force members into the record. The letter addressed the consultant’s review of the ORA plan, and sought to clarify and offer alternative viewpoints to some of the consultants’ proposals. One proposal is for bikelanes on Route 571 in Princeton Junction to cross over to sidewalks at intersections. Task Force members discussed that this idea makes little sense and has no planning precedent. Mixing pedestrians and cyclists in this type of setting is not safe. The re-configuration of Canal Pointe Boulevard to two travel lanes and a middle turning lane was also discussed- essentially a road diet for Canal Pointe Blvd. It was discussed that if this is the design plan for Meadow Road and for Route 571 in Princeton Junction, then it makes sense to do the same with Canal Pointe Boulevard. It was discussed that the Task Force should prepare a packet of information for Planning Board members to help educate them on these key issues- it was suggested that we copy Town Council with any planning information. Art and Ken N have already found articles and AASHTO Guidelines that help support the positions that we have taken with respect to Bike/Ped planning. It was also suggested that the Task Force should request to present these alternative ideas in front of Planning Board. Also discussed was whether Urbitran is the best consulting firm to use when it comes to bike/ped planning. Bike/Ped planning does not appear to be one of their strengths.

o Interim Improvements to Route 571- The concept of a right turn only onto Route 571 at the Acme was discussed. Task Force members felt this could solve one problem while causing another. The fear is that traffic will be made worse through the Acme shopping Center putting pedestrians at risk, as well as creating traffic problems making a left onto Alexander Road from the Acme and causing back-ups at Alexander Road. If pursuing this option, the township will need to consider improvements on Alexander Road and the driveway to Acme. {Note after meeting: Chris Scherer suggested that the right turn only restriction only apply during rush-hour}.

Discussion Items for Update Meeting with Chris Marion

· Trail, sidewalk, bikelane maintenance

o Debris Removal Ordinance- Bikelane provision to be added

· Alexander Road S curve improvements

· Communication to the Task Force re Safe Routes to School and Bikelanes Grant

· Township to install missing sidewalk link on Clarksville near Landing Lane?

· Task Force to present alternative bike/ped plans to Planning Board

· Process for choosing transportation planning consultants

· Meadow Road project

Action Items:

o Speak to Larry Miller of the DEP Trails Program and inquire how best to keep track of the matching portion of the grant – Ken

o Determine the deadline for the TEA-21 Grant Application- Susan

Upcoming Meetings:

o May 3^rd-FOWWOS meeting- Sam Surtees will be there to discuss his ideas for trails in and around Grover’s Mill Pond

o May 12^th -TASK FORCE MEETING, 7:30 PM