Princeton's Harrison Street Corridor Study Focuses On Enhanced Safety

PRINCETON, NJ – On Tuesday, a presentation was made to Council on the Harrison Street Corridor.

In February last year, Council approved $140,000 for a professional service agreement with Michael Baker Inc., to conduct a multi-nodal corridor study along Harrison and Ewing Street, from the southern border to Route 206.

The purpose of the project is to enhance motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrian safety and reduce crashes. Here are some highlights from the presentation.

The firm looked at five years of traffic and crash data. According to data, there were 249 crashes on the 2.5-mile corridor, which was 7 percent of all crashes in the Municipality during that time period.

These crashes mostly took place on Nassau Street, Valley Road, Rt. 206, Hartley Lane Avenue, and Lake Avenue.

Although there are no significant traffic problems, the consultants did find problematic traffic behavior like excess speed, running red lights, aggressive driving and passing maneuvers.

The consultants said that Princeton needs to coordinate with the county especially if they need to slow down traffic entering the Municipality from the D&R Canal side. Traffic calming elements and speed detection signs would be needed and crosswalk design and lighting need to be enhanced.

Moving up from Carnegie towards Nassau, the firm suggests converting four intersections to a roundabout design – Valley Road, Terhune Road, Bunn Drive, and Prospect Avenue.

At Princeton Shopping Center, the firm recommends a “road diet”. The area currently has four travel lanes and a center island. The firm suggests taking away two of those lanes and repurposing it for pedestrian and bicycle improvements in both directions.

Although you have the shopping center on one side, you have some new residential development, and everything on the southbound side, there’s not a sidewalk,” said Pete Kramer from Michael Baker Inc.

The consultants also recommended a new traffic signal at the intersection of Ewing Street and Rt. 206.

Councilman David Cohen said he was happy with the overall plan and said that the roundabouts suggested were a good option as they were “miraculous” in terms of how they slow motorists down and move traffic.

Councilwoman Leticia Fraga said she hoped there would be an opportunity for public comment so residents who live in the area can make their voices heard.

To watch the entire presentation, click here.

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