Following the fatal pedestrian accident on Route 571 in West Windsor in February (and the resulting neighborhood outcry), both the township and Mercer Country have been looking at ways to make improvements.##M:[more]##
On March 23, Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh and County Executive Brian Hughes announced that the county is moving ahead with interim solutions aimed at stepping up safety and traffic flow problems along Route 571 (also known as Princeton-Hightstown Road) between Clarksville Road and Wallace Road.
Included in the plans are signal upgrades for the intersection of Route 571 and Clarksville Road that include installation of additional pedestrian push buttons, signs, and signal indicator. There will also signs warning motorists not to make right turns on red lights while pedestrians are in the crosswalk. In addition, a pedestrian crosswalk and signs will be added to Route 571 at Sherbrook and the Acme Shopping Center driveway.
Pending state approval are proposed signing and striping modifications and a left-turn arrow for westbound traffic on Route 571 at Wallace Road.
A concept plan for long-term changes was presented to the West Windsor Planning Board on March 16 with consultants presenting alternatives of street and intersection design and the installation of a center turning lane from Clarksville Road intersection to Cranbury/Wallace Road intersection. These plans are available for public comment from the Land Use Division of the Community Development Department. Public comments on these designs should be submitted to the planning board by Wednesday, April 6.
The planning board will then make a recommendation to the township council, which will hold its own public hearing on the issue.
“After 20 years of no progress, we are grateful to the county executive for making this a priority and taking action,” said Hsueh. “I know that the county and township will continue to work closely to ensure the timely implementation of these improvements.”
Construction of the interim improvements is expected to be completed by mid-June. But full implementation of long-term projects may take several years, according to county officials.
