At October 5 debate for West Windsor council candidates, the subject of “Canal Pointe Boulevard Study” caught my attention. The engineering study can be seen in great detail at westwindsornj.org. Basically there are two approaches: three lanes, two single traffic lanes, a center lane for left turns, and designated bicycle lanes; and the present approach with four lanes of traffic without designated bicycle lanes. The study shows the road diet as being the safest, traffic controlled, and universally accommodating approach.
Both Virginia Manzari and Gerald Halloran indicated they were against the road diet (three-lane approach). They obviously did not read the report or do not comprehend it. They sounded uninformed. I could tell this from their apocryphal and hyperbolic statements. Manzari’s reference to using the center lane for passing by drivers in a hurry was especially offensive. One does not base designs on lawbreakers.
On the other hand Ayesha Hamilton and Alison Miller came across as understanding the design and need for the road diet approach. They addressed the accommodation for all parties, drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and residents.
In my book, “Traffic” is a given. It needs to be controlled using speed, turn lanes, traffic lights, etc. But safety has to be the prime criterion. Upgrades are needed periodically as things change, including traffic. The road diet approach will do this.
Paul Eland
West Windsor
