Change may be coming to Canal Pointe Boulevard. The last time the West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Association organized a walk to draw attention to an unsafe street crossing, Clarksville Road became the object of change.##M:[more]## On the very night the group made a presentation to the town council about a potential hazard for people crossing Clarksville at Avalon Watch, a group of pedestrians were hit by a car at that very location.
As a direct result of efforts by the 120-member WWBPA, working with the township and the county, the DOT this month approved changes that will include a pedestrian-activated traffic light, a pedestrian refuge island in the middle of the roadway, narrower lanes of travel for cars, and a lighted walkway.
The group’s next target is Canal Pointe Boulevard. The WWBPA will hold its next walk on Tuesday, April 17, at 5:30 p.m. to examine potential hazards for people trying to walk across — or alongside — the street that connects Alexander Road with Market Fair west of Route 1. The walk will begin at the United Artists movie theater at Market Fair at rush hour, a time the group thinks will be most effective in revealing street-crossing hazards.
Executive director Ken Carlson says this spot has been chosen for many reasons. “”Traffic speeds along Canal Pointe Boulevard are excessive, and with no bicycle lanes and only one crosswalk along its entire length,”” said Carlson. “”The road is unsafe for bicyclists and dangerous for pedestrian crossings. The one existing crosswalk, at Mayfair Drive, is unsafe, poorly located, and not widely used.””
“”With thousands of residents living on the west side of Canal Pointe Boulevard, there is a unique opportunity to encourage residents to walk and bicycle to the many retail businesses and places of employment located just across the street,”” says Carlson. “”Local residents, township, county and regional transportation officials are invited to participate to focus on these conditions. Following the walk participants will gather to brainstorm about potential improvements and a set of recommendations will be developed.””
The WWBPA has held walks on Alexander Road near the train station and near the D & R Canal, as well as on Clarksville Road near Avalon Watch. It is also targeting spots along the PSE&G easement walkway for later in the summer, as well as a bike ride to examine the township’s bike paths and potential improvements.
The WWBPA was instrumental in the council’s recent decision to raise the amount of money in the municipal budget to be dedicated to improving the township’s sidewalks. The 2007 municipal budget included $100,”000. The figure was raised to $200,”000 in the final council budget meeting, and that amount is meant to be included in each of the next four budgets as well. For information visit The WWBPA Website.
