Editor’s note: the following letter was sent to Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh regarding the Cranbury Road sidewalk and safety project.
Dear Mayor Hsueh,
Thanks to you, Chief Pica, and Patricia Ward for meeting with more than 60 residents regarding our local safety concerns on Saturday, August 10. Patricia has subsequently provided existing details from the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for sidewalk development along Cranbury Road as designated in Table V5, Circulation Plan Element, of the West Windsor Master Plan. It was reassuring to see that our concerns align in principle with those stated on page 17 of the latter:
“Sidewalk should be provided along Wallace Road, Cranbury Road, throughout Berrien City, and across the Alexander Road Bridge due to the high pedestrian activity associated with the train station.”
Your support and that of the chief, who indicated ours “is a dangerous roadway, and putting in sidewalks can be a positive step for the whole town,” is much appreciated.
We absolutely agree. In fact, our main objectives to improve neighborhood safety are:
– Assess options to accelerate the timeline for a sidewalk along Cranbury Road Project E2, from Route 571 to Clarksville Road (sidewalks) Project E4, Cranbury Road; East of Clarksville Road (sidewalks)
– Actively participate in RFPs and other studies impacting Grovers Mill area traffic Project E1, Clarksville Road/Cranbury Road (turn lanes and traffic signal), Project E3, Cranbury Road/Millstone Road (turn lanes and traffic signal)
– Collaborate with law enforcement to provide additional 25 MPH monitoring
In essence, we are seeking a pragmatic, child-friendly solution for our neighborhood and are heartened to see that the estimated cost of sidewalks along Cranbury Road, from Route 571 to Clarksville Road (Project E2), is itemized at $558,000. Whether this is done as concrete or macadam, we acknowledge that extra costs may arise from other components such as badly needed drainage improvements and movement of utility poles.
We urge both the county and PSE&G respectively to take advantage of this project and coordinate with the township in making improvements to infrastructure. This project is in keeping with West Windsor’s commitment to complete streets as resolved under 2010R175: “to safely accommodate travel by pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit, and motorized vehicles and their passengers, with special priority given to bicyclist and pedestrian safety” as well as a similar commitment by the county, and would facilitate our community’s growth along multiple facets, enable better access to neighbors and shops, and provide a direct link to the train station without the need to drive. Many area residents are excited about the positive implications for Cranbury Road.
We look forward to working with you in the coming weeks.
Sarah Thomson,
Samirah Akhlaq Rezvi,
Tracy Davis , Scott Davis
