The West Windsor Planning Board is seeking input from residents on plans for redevelopment of Route 571 through downtown Princeton Junction.##M:[more]##
During its meeting on March 16, the planning board heard input from residents on a concept plan, unveiled last month by Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh, for the reconstruction of Route 571. The township’s study and concept plan calls for a three-lane road, including a center turning lane, between Clarksville Road and Cranbury/Wallace roads.
Anyone wishing to make further comments on the plan, which is on display in the township municipal building, can send them in writing by Wednesday, April 6, to James Parvesse, township engineer, West Windsor Township, 271 Clarksville Road, West Windsor, 08550.
“The study included a number of different alternatives presented by our traffic engineer,” says Planning Board Chairman Marvin Gardner. “We had considerable discussion from the community with respect to the alternatives, but we gave no indication as to what direction we would be taking.”
Gardner says the next step in the process will be to review the comments from the March 16 meeting and the information submitted in writing. Township officials will them meet with officials from Mercer County and discuss the recommendations.
Because Route 571 is a county-controlled road, any plans for reconstruction must be approved by the county. County Executive Brian Hughes has agreed to move forward on the project if the county and township can come to an agreement.
“The scenario calls for a second public hearing at which a more detailed traffic plan will be reviewed by the planning board, with the public having another opportunity to make further recommendations,” Gardner says, adding that the meeting will likely occur in two to three months.
Then township council will hold its own public hearing on the issue.
Meanwhile, township staff and county officials have been meeting to look at interim safety measures including minor road repairs, better lighting, signage, a potential reduction in speed limit, crosswalks, sidewalks, and other traffic calming measures, says Gardner.
“Depending on county concurrence,” says Gardner, “some, if not all of those, will be implemented sometime this year. We need to make interim road improvements immediately. It’s important that officials take decisive action as expeditiously as possible because the public safety is involved.”
