The New Jersey Department of Transportation has unveiled a concept design for a replacement bridge over the railroad tracks on Clarksville Road and is seeking public input through Thursday. You can see the presentation for the proposed project here. There is more information here.
The WWBPA likes some of the concept plan – but wants to see a multi-use path on all sides of the project, not just on the northbound side. Right now there is no multi-use path or even a sidewalk envisioned for the southbound side.
As we write:
Those living in the Princeton Terrace neighborhood should feel safe and comfortable bicycling to and from the Princeton Junction train station as well as walking/biking a mile to enjoy Duck Pond Park or to visit friends in the Avalon complex. Equally, those living at the Estates at Princeton Junction should be able to easily access the Windsor Athletic Center. But without a multi-use path on the southbound side instead of an 8-foot shoulder, it’s simply not an option for those who feel safer cycling separated from all kinds of traffic, including school buses and large trucks.
In addition, we do not believe it is appropriate to ask those coming from Estates at Princeton Junction to go three-quarters of the way around the traffic circle and cross three separate lanes of traffic before eventually reaching Princeton Terrace and again crossing two lanes on Clarksville Road to reach the WAC. Those going from Princeton Terrace to Duck Pond Park are being asked to cross three separate lanes of traffic at the circle under this design and then cross two lanes of Meadow Road by the park.
You can read our entire letter here.
If you agree with us, please reference our comments, quote from the letter or paraphrase it in your own feedback about the project. Leave your comments in the public feedback section or email JohnP.Mikusa@dot.nj.gov. Please consider sharing your comments with the WWBPA and West Windsor Township Engineer Francis Guzik.
This is the best time to influence how the new bridge will look – before work begins on the actual design and well before construction.
NJDOT says it envisions completing the concept development phase this spring, then beginning the design phase in FY2023 and beginning construction in spring 2027.
This is not the only bridge project you should expect in West Windsor. The bridge over the Millstone River leading to Plainsboro (Millstone Road in West Windsor and Grovers Mill Road in Plainsboro) will be replaced in 2023. This is a project led by Mercer County. And NJDOT is looking to replace another bridge over the railroad tracks — the Route 64 bridge that connects Princeton Hightstown Road and Washington Road (both part of County Road 571). That may happen in 2026/2027.