The West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance has released a list of suggestions for improving the S-curve at Alexander Road for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. The walk, held on Tuesday, September 5, was held in an effort to generate ideas for improving safety on the road which has been the site of several accidents, including one which took the life of a Princeton teen, Rebecca Annito, a year ago.
The group sponsored a brainstorming walk along the “notoriously dangerous” stretch of road, which has recently undergone interim improvements such as the re-striping of road lines. The township plans to install additional lighting at two locations in the road by the end of the year.
Kenneth Carlson, president of the alliance, says, “There have been numerous automobile accidents in this section of road, particularly in wet road conditions. Furthermore, there is no bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure whatsoever along the Alexander Road S curve, making navigation of this road by bicycle or by foot particularly hazardous.
Other short term improvements suggested by the organization include slowing traffic by placing yellow caution lights for drivers approaching at either end of the curve, placing flexible plastic pylons along the center of the road, and increasing the density of reflectors along the lane divider and adding them at the road edges.
Suggestions also included adding road surface treatments to make the road less slippery, and conducting a traffic study with the aim of reducing the speed limit. the WWBPA also suggests including Princeton University as a stakeholder in improvements to the roadway.
The township has budgeted $50,000 this year to be spent on the roadway. $15,000 is for interim improvements, which include the re-striping of the road, addition of lights and reflectors along the center of the road. $35,000 is being spent on consultants who will study the roadway and formulate a plan for how to best improve its safety. Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh has said that long-term improvements will take three years to finish.
WWBPA also listed suggestions for long-term improvements, including installing a paved pedestrian path on the south side of the road, and constructing bike lanes on both sides of the road. The organization suggests developing a bikeway/walkway to provide a safer route for people trying to get to the Dinky train, and constructing a dedicated bicycle/pedestrian bridge over Route 1. There is already a petition with over 500 signatures in favor of the bridge and path. WWBPA also suggests organizing an Alexander Road Curve Coalition.
Residents who attended the walk were joined by members of the Town Council, the chairman of the Princeton Sidewalk and Bikeway Advisory Committee, and a transportation planner from the greater Mercer Transportation Management Association.
