While West Windsor officials are saying they generally hear positive feedback about the new Alexander Road bridge and roundabout, there have been some reports of backups at the bridge during the morning rush hour.
As a result, West Windsor Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh has confirmed that township officials are asking the state Department of Transportation to conduct a follow-up monitoring study to see if there are any further improvements that can be made at the roundabout or bridge.
However, Hsueh says, no changes will be made unless the DOT agrees to study the area, and then not until the DOT has monitored the area for a period of time.
“When the cars come during rush hour in the morning from Alexander Road, there’s a long line,” he said. “Our position is that we are working with the DOT. It’s going to take some time.”
One possibility could be to place a signal on North Post Road, but that is still a suggestion at this point, and “definitely, no matter what you do, the rush hour is still rush hour,” says Hsueh.
“At the same time, Amtrak and DOT will have to work out a schedule to remove the old bridge’s steel frame,” added Hsueh. “Utility poles will have to be replaced before we can install the lighting,” as some residents have complained of poor lighting at the roundabout at night. Once the steel from the previous bridge is completely removed, then PSE&G can come in and relocate the utility poles so that lighting in the area will be possible.
But when that steel — which requires the use of a crane — is removed is up to the DOT, which must coordinate efforts with Amtrak, which runs trains under the bridge and will be affected by the work.
The steel support structures of the former bridge are still in place over the tracks next to the new structure. Removing the steel requires the bridge to be closed overnight, at which time workers will take the old bridge structure away via crane. However, Hsueh says he also thinks people still need to be more informed of the traffic rules for using the roundabout.
“People need to understand that the driver within the roundabout has the right-of-way,” the mayor said.
This could also be contributing to some of the congestion during the morning rush, Hsueh explains. “North Post Road seems to have an easy way to get in. In the morning rush hour, on the Alexander Road side of it, people are more reluctant to get in because they see people coming in on the left-hand side,” he said. “If you hesitate for a few seconds, there will be a couple more cars coming.”
As a result, township officials have posted information on the township website describing how the roundabout should be negotiated. To navigate the roundabout, the driver who is approaching the roundabout should follow the lane designation signs, slow down, and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
The traffic in the roundabout has the right-of-way, the website states. The driver should look to the left as he or she approaches the yield line, and should enter the roundabout when there is an adequate gap in the circulating traffic flow. If another car is waiting at the yield line ahead of the driver’s, he or she should not stop in the crosswalk for that car.
Once a driver has entered the roundabout, he or she should proceed counter-clockwise to his or her exit, since he or she has the right-of-way. As the driver approaches the exit, he or she should turn on the right-turn signal, and exit the roundabout, yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
The crosswalk should be kept clear for pedestrians, and bicyclists are permitted to ride within the roundabout.
