Minutes
from the June 12, 2003 West Windsor Bicycle/Pedestrian
Meeting
Meeting Attendees: Roger Alig, Peter Bilton, Ken Carlson, Susan Conlon, Bruce Ellsworth, Myra Hochman,
Markus Loecher, Alison Miller, Ken Naglak, Sandy Shapiro, Don Smart
Guests: Meg Cicco,
Arnold Kelly, Andy Pratt
·
Funding- Ken Carlson reported that $5,000 is to be included
in this year’s budget for bike/pedestrian projects.
·
Local Aid Grant – Don Smart reported that he had a productive
meeting with Sam Surtees to discuss our grant
application for bike lane signage and stripping along Southfield and Edinburg Roads from
the bike lanes on the Plainsboro border (Nostrand Rd.) to Mercer County Park. The
application is nearing completion and will be sent to Sam for review and
signing by the Mayor prior to the month end deadline for submission. Note: It has since been determined that our
grant application will conflict with the Township application for the PSE&G
ROW trail and will have to be deferred to the next cycle.
·
Local Planning
Assistance Grant – Ken Naglak and Ken Carlson reported on a meeting with Susan Blickstein of Orth-Rogers &
Associates, Bill Riviere of the NJDOT Office of
Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs, Sam Surtees, Allison
Miller and Mayor Hsueh to discuss the desired scope
of work with regard to our planning assistance grant from NJDOT. The grant application has been approved by
NJDOT and Orth-Rogers has
been selected to do the work. The
primary focus will be on producing a Township wide bicycle circulation plan
element to replace the existing circulation plan in the Master Plan and to
review as many as six dangerous pedestrian intersections for improvement. We should help Susan identify the dangerous
intersections. Susan will be putting
together the scope of work over the next several weeks that must next be
approved by NJDOT.
·
Acme Crosswalk -
Meg Cicco,
a resident of Sherbrooke Estates, discussed with the
group the need for a crosswalk near the Acme Shopping Center as many residents living in Sherbrooke
Estates walk to both the shopping center and train station. Given the high traffic volumes and speeds of
vehicles on Princeton
Hightstown Road,
residents are more and more reluctant to cross the highway on foot and
resort to driving even though the distance is short. In part, the lack of proper pedestrian
crossings in the area appears to stem from ongoing discussions regarding
redevelopment of Princeton
Hightstown Road
from its intersection with Clarksville to
Cranbury Roads. It was agreed, however,
that the safety concerns of the neighborhood are well grounded and that
temporary measures should be implemented at a minimum to prevent an
accident. At a minimum the Task Force
will put this area on the agenda for discussion with Orth-Rogers
and that alternatives for improving safety should be investigated. Meg, Susan, and Sandy agreed to work together
to develop a plan for a crosswalk and that this should be presented ultimately
to the County Freeholders.
·
Millstone Road
Sidewalk Project – Andy Pratt reported
that he has discussed a potential sidewalk along Millstone Road with all his neighbors who would be affected except
one and has found all in favor. Based on
discussions Ken Carlson and Ken Naglak have had with
Mayor Hsueh, this project could be included in the
budget if all neighbors are in favor without a need to wait until the roadway
is improved. A bike lane on the roadway
might also be added but would make more sense as a second step after a sidewalk
is installed. It was suggested the next
step should be organize a petition of those affected and to arrange a meeting
with the Mayor to discuss next steps.
We should also get an estimate of the cost for the sidewalk project.
·
Sidewalk
Inventory – Our side walk inventory
spearheaded by Roger Alig and Myra Hockman continues to take shape with an initial map made
available for review. Corrections
continue to be made and a revised map incorporating the corrections/additions
of missing sections will be available by next meeting.
·
Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge Advocacy - Ken Carlson updated the group on advocacy plans
for the bike/pedestrian bridge over Rt. 1.
The Draft EIS has now been released
and a sign-on letter for groups interested in supporting the bike/ped bridge has been developed and will start to be
circulated mid June. We will also
develop a sign-on petition for individuals to sign using www.petitiononline.com, a free petition service suggested by Susan
Conlon. Everyone’ efforts to get as much
publicity and maximum distribution of this material will be appreciated. There is a public comment meeting scheduled
for all day on 6/30/03 and everyone is encouraged to attend.
Note, the Sign-on Petition is up and running- the link is http://www.petitiononline.com/rt1brdg/petition.html
·
Princeton Junction Sidewalk/Pedestrian Plans – Susan Conlon presented the concerns of Berrien City residents with regard to dangerous intersections
and the need for traffic calming measures including a reduction in the speed
limit along Alexander
Road
from the train line bridge to Princeton Hightstown Road. Many
residents in the area walk to the train station and two children were recently
struck by a car along Alexander Road. The Berrien City Neighborhood
Association has long advocated for traffic calming measures in the area and has
seen crosswalk signage recently added to Alexander Road. Additional
measures are felt to be needed. We
support the groups’ efforts and agreed that this area should be a prime
dangerous intersection candidate for the Orth-Rogers
review of pedestrian issues.
Action
Items
- Make
presentations at the EIS Open Comment Forum on June 30th- Anyone
- Identify
six dangerous intersections in dire need of pedestrian safety enhancement-
everyone
- Develop
an On-line petition for Rt. 1 Bike/ped bridge-
Ken & Ken
- Develop
a plan for a crosswalk solution on Rt. 571 at the Acme. This plan should be presented ultimately
to the County Freeholders- Meg, Susan, and Sandy
- Organize
a petition of Millstone Road residents in favor of
sidewalks and arrange a meeting with mayor to discuss next steps- Andy
Pratt, Bruce, Ken, & Ken
- Get
an estimate of the cost of the Millstone Road sidewalk project- Bruce
- Obtain
a revised map of the sidewalk inventory from Jim Parvese
and distribute to Task Force members for next iteration- Roger, Myra, Ken N
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Bike/Ped Meeting
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