After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, gridlocks and foot traffic saw a sharp decline this past year. Still, Hoboken is looking for ways to increase pedestrian safety, especially as the city transitions out of the pandemic. In August of 2019, with the goal of reducing traffic accidents and eliminating traffic-related deaths, Mayor Bhalla signed an Executive Order to instate the Vision Zero safety initiative. With the Vision Zero Task Force and the Vision Zero Action Plan, Hoboken hopes to see a full decrease in traffic accidents by 2030.
On March 25, almost a year and a half after the signing of the Executive Order, Bhalla and Commissioner Anthony Romano announced that the city will finally begin the construction process and work closely with Hoboken’s Department of Transportation. The project is estimated to take 12 to 14 weeks and will occur at the intersection between 11th Street and Willow Avenue.
Hoboken is not the only city to implement Vision Zero; cities like New York City and Jersey City have also adopted this new initiative. The incentive behind Vision Zero is that “traffic-related injuries and deaths are preventable, and better planning, engineering, enforcement and education can result in a reduction and eventually an elimination of deaths and injuries.” Additionally, Vision Zero goes beyond new construction; the Task Force launched a website to update citizens on Vision Zero initiatives.
The project includes four main goals: the installation of four curb extensions to reduce the distance of pedestrian crossing by 38% on Willow Avenue, curb ramps with clear warnings, crosswalks that contain high visibility for cars and pedestrians, and contemporary traffic lights that are complete with 12 feet LED signals. The process of construction is lengthy because it includes working with drainage to accommodate the curb extensions, installing electrical poles and wiring for the traffic signal, and communicating with the electric company PSE&G to power the new traffic signal.
Both Bhalla and Romano have shown their appreciation towards Hudson County for allowing these upgrades and for prioritizing the safety of Hoboken residents. Bhalla specifically highlighted that the safety implementation will be especially helpful towards protecting “vulnerable residents including school children and seniors,” who are commonly seen in the area. In fact, as Phil Cohen, Fifth Ward City Councilman has remarked, “The intersection at 11th and Willow is the intersection closest to the Wallace School, where hundreds of kids and their parents cross the street each school day, and the location where we are planning an affordable housing development for our seniors.”
Romano, who grew up on the block adjacent to Willow Avenue says this street’s improvement has a “special meaning” to him. “I look forward to working with the City on additional improvements on County roads in the future,” says Romano, hinting towards the potential of future pedestrian improvements in Hoboken.
As Stevens students have shifted to off-campus housing due to the closures of the Stevens-leased housing during the pandemic, these safety features will allow students safer mobility throughout Hoboken while also benefiting other residents.
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