NJDOT
constructs temporary sidewalk along Route 27 southbound in
Edison
(Edison)
Acting on concerns raised by State Senator Barbara Buono, the
New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has constructed
a new blacktop sidewalk along of Route 27 southbound for pedestrians
traveling to and from the Metropark train station in Edison Township.
The
new sidewalk is a temporary safety fix that will be serve as a
stopgap measure until the Department begins construction on the
large scale Route 27 Wood Avenue Intersection reconstruction project,
scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2007.
The
Department's commitment to pedestrian safety is intended to ensure
a higher quality of life for our residents, said NJDOT Commissioner
Jack Lettiere. By working together with legislators like
Senator Buono and local communities, the Department is able to
respond quickly to their concerns. This type of cooperation
is paramount to our success.
Senator
Buono (D-Middlesex) was instrumental in bringing this safety problem
to the Department's attention and pushed for a fast solution to
the problem to ensure the safety of pedestrians walking along
this stretch of Route 27.
I
am pleased to have had the opportunity to work with the DOT on
solving this safety concern, said Senator Buono D-Middlesex.
I would like to thank Commissioner Jack Lettiere for his quick
response with the installation of the protection sidewalk which
has already benefited many Metropark commuters.
For
years there had been no sidewalk on the southbound side of Route
27 between Cedar Lane and the nearby Exxon station. Heavy
pedestrian traffic to and from the Metropark Station along the
side of the road had created a makeshift footpath. This
footpath presented a safety risk to all who traveled along it
because of rough terrain, poor visibility and very dim lighting.
In
addition, a number of telephone poles exist along this path, so
it was impossible for a normal sidewalk to be built.
An
NJDOT maintenance crew was able to lay down bituminous concrete
along the worn walkway, and around the telephone poles, creating
a much safer temporary sidewalk for the use of all pedestrian
traffic along this section of the southbound side of Route 27
in Edison.
The
NJDOT is currently in the preliminary design stage of the Route
27 Wood Avenue Intersection reconstruction project. This
project will improve the traffic flow and safety at this intersection
by replacing the existing intersection with a grade separation
bridge structure that will elevate Route 27 over Wood Avenue,
allowing Wood Avenue traffic to pass underneath. Once completed,
this project will provide a new and permanent walkway along Route
27 southbound for even better pedestrian access to the Metropark
station.
The
project is scheduled for construction in Spring 2007.
