Safety Upgrades Planned For West Orange Road Prone To Crashes

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A plan is underway to make safety upgrades in an area of West Orange that sees a “disproportionately high rate” of vehicle-pedestrian crashes, officials say.

According to a municipal advisory, the township has received a grant through the federal Transportation Alternatives program (TAP). The money will be put to work constructing pedestrian safety improvements along Washington Street from Main Street to High Street.

“Washington Street, a pedestrian and motorist thoroughfare to Main Street, has existing sidewalks throughout the project limits along the east and west side of the roadway,” the advisory states.

“The existing sidewalk varies from 7-feet to 8-feet wide throughout the majority of the project limits and does not comply with current ADA and PAR standards, thus making the corridor less walkable and accessible,” the advisory continues.

“This area also experiences a disproportionately high rate of vehicle/pedestrian crashes,” officials added.

What is the plan to make the area safer? Here’s the blueprint, West Orange officials say:

“The township is currently evaluating alternatives to improve pedestrian safety that will encourage residents and pedestrians to utilize the sidewalk infrastructure along Washington Street. The primary project purpose is to improve pedestrian safety by reconstructing the existing sidewalk to meet current ADA standards along both sides of Washington Street, flashing pedestrian crossing signs, enhanced lighting, street trees and trash receptacles. It is the township's intent to install curb bump-outs located at the intersection of Wellesley Avenue and Columbia Street with Washington Street. These curb bump-outs will shorten the crossing distance across Washington Street, thus improving pedestrian safety.”

The advisory continues:

“Additionally, to increase visibility and safety, this intersection will be upgraded and equipped with solar powered Pedestrian Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons. The full width of sidewalk is proposed to be replaced along with the full length of concrete curb to meet the new sidewalk grade. All existing driveways aprons, where sidewalk is present will be reconstructed to meet ADA standards and the limits of reconstruction will vary based on the necessary grading required to meet the existing topography. Existing curb ramps within the project limits will be upgraded to meet current ADA standards. The various alternative sidewalk sections that are currently being evaluated will be presented at [a workshop on Dec. 17] for public input in determining the final improvement layout and development of the approved project plan.”

The preliminary engineering phase of the project is expected to be completed by January 2025, with final design starting afterwards and lasting through July 2025.

All costs for engineering design, construction and construction inspection will be reimbursed through the federal TAP program, administered through NJDOT Local Aid.

• See Related: The Danger Zone: West Orange Road Is A Crash Magnet, Records Show

PUBLIC MEETINGS

The township will hold a public workshop to discuss the preliminary engineering phase of the project on Tuesday, Dec. 17. It will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. at the council chambers in Town Hall, 66 Main Street.

Visitors can attend at any time during the workshop. Guests will be able to view preliminary construction plans, ask questions and share feedback with team members on the project.

Another public workshop will take place during the final design phase, officials noted.

For more information, contact:

• Zayibeth Carballo, PE, CME Director, Municipal Engineer 25 Lakeside Avenue West Orange, NJ 07052 zcarballo@westorange.org
• Ryan Mangano Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. 301 Gibraltar Drive, Suite 2A Morris Plains, NJ 07950 rmangano@gpinet.com

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