Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements
West Windsor Township’s Projects Around Town, updated January 19, 2010
West Windsor Needs Bicycle-Friendly Roundabouts
We like roundabouts, but they must be safe for bicyclists, too. Read WWBPA’s response to Township Council’s decision not to accept our recommendations for the new roundabout at Old/Bear Brook Roads. WWBPA is proposing changes to make the planned roundabout more bicycle friendly, as well as consistent with the Princeton Junction Redevelopment Area ordinance. Read More >>
Township to Develop New Bike Lanes
West Windsor is starting development on new bike lanes soon – Township Council approved contracts to move forward with connecting more pieces of the bike network defined in the Township Master Plan. Read More >>
New Bike Lanes
During the summer of 2009, the Township will construct bike lanes on a number of township roads (based on WWBPA recommendations). These roads include Alexander Road (between Old Bear Brook Road and Vaughn Drive), Bennington Road, Edinburg Road (near the entrance to Mercer County Park), Lanwin Boulevard, Rabbit Hill Road, South Mill Road, Village Road West (between North Post Road and Windsor Ponds), and Woodmere Road.
Township moves to connect bike paths
The Township will be connecting the Trolley Line Trail to exiting bike lanes along Southfield Road. Read More >>
New Sidewalks
During summer/fall 2009, the Township will install new sidewalks (many from WWBPA recommendations) in the vicinity of the Alexander Road roundabout, on Alexander Road connecting the sidewalk on the bridge to those at Alexander Road and Vaughn Drive, on Alexander Road near Berrien Ave, and on Wallace Road. The WWBPA has been advocating for a continuous sidewalk along Route 571 from Alexander Road to Wallace Road, and we will continue to track the progress by the Township on this project.
Crosswalk Improvements
The Township has a new Crosswalk Improvement Program in place as part of its Capital Budget Program. The WWBPA worked with the Township to develop this program and the improvements are based on the WWBPA’s priority list of intersection improvements. Members of the WWBPA appeared before the Township Council to seek additional funding for this program; improvements are expected this summer/fall.
Share the Road Signs
Following the successful installation of Share the Road signs on Cranbury Road, the WWBPA has been advocating for installation of more Share the Road signs on Township roads that are heavily used by cyclists (e.g., South Road, North and South Post Roads, Conover Road). The Township approved this list and installed the signs, paid for by the WWBPA and BikeFest. The WWBPA is also working with the County to install Share-the-Road signs on Windsor Road. Installation of all these signs should be be complete by the fall.
Bicycle Racks at the Farmers’ Market and Train Station
The Township installed bicycle racks, paid for by the WWBPA and BikeFest, at the Farmers’ Market location this spring. The WWBPA is also working with NJ Transit and others to install a number of bicycle racks and lockers at the train station.
Bike Path and Bike Lanes on Meadow Road
The Township is in the process of reconstructing Meadow Road; the new road will include a multi-use path from Carnegie Center Boulevard to Clarksville Road and a multi-use path from Carnegie Center Boulevard to Bear Brook Road.
Bike Lanes and Sidewalks on Penn Lyle Road
This summer, the Township will reconstruct Penn Lyle Road between Westwinds Drive and Village Road; the reconstructed road will include sidewalks and bike lanes. Sidewalks and bike lanes will be constructed on Penn Lyle Road towards Clarksville Road in 2010.
Bike Path on South Post Road
The Township applied for and received $160,000 in funding for a multi-use path along South Post Road from the intersection of Village Road to Mercer Lake (on the Mercer Oaks Golf course side). This new path will provide residents with safe access to Mercer Lake. Former trustee Ken Carlson initiated the idea and encouraged the Township to apply for the NJDOT Local Aid Grant. The WWBPA also supplied a supporting letter for the grant.
Bike Lanes on Mercer County Park access road
This summer, the County will pave the gravel shoulders on the main access road through the park and will sign and stripe them as bike lanes.
Intersection Improvements to Cranbury-Wallace Roads and Route 571
Intersection improvements will come to this intersection (as recommended by the WWBPA), though timing is dependent on the development of the Rite Aid site. This development is moving through the approval process.
Crosswalk on Clarksville Road at Avalon Watch
After three years of advocacy by the WWBPA, a new crossing has been built between the Avalon Watch apartments and the Village Shops on Clarksville Road. The project, funded by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Mercer County, should make it safer for bus riders and shoppers to cross the road. It includes a pedestrian refuge island in the middle of the road, an in-pavement lighting system, flashing signs, and left-turn lanes. A diagram of the project is at westwindsornj.org/clarksville_crosswalk.html.
Crosswalk Improvement to Slayback Drive and Route 571
The WWBPA has been advocating for improvements to this crosswalk and on access to the Trolley Line Trail near DataRam. The County will re-surface Route 571 this summer and will re-stripe a high visibility crosswalk. The owners of the DataRam property will make improvements to the Trolley Line path access at the intersection per WWBPA recommendations.
Improved crossing of the Trolley Line Trail at South Mill Road
The WWBPA advocates a safe crossing for users of the Trolley Line Trail at South Mill Road. The County has approved a mid-block crossing and will paint a high-visibility crosswalk. The Township plans to install a pedestrian-activated beacon.
Road Improvements on Alexander Road S Curve
Unfortunately, engineering issues concerning storm water management has slowed this project, with construction not likely until 2010. Anticipated improvements include a sidewalk and bikelanes on the road.