Through its newest initiative, the city of Hoboken has shown that it prioritizes the safety of its citizens and, consequently, the students at Stevens. Many students realize a significant danger in Hoboken is a simple task: crossing the street. With racing cars, blind spots, and inattentive drivers, city officials are aware that there is a need to streamline updates to stoplights, traffic signals, and pedestrian safety features. One area in particular—the intersection of 14th and Hudson streets—recently began construction on many of these essential components.
In early September, Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla and Commissioner Anthony Romano publicized that at the intersection of Hudson and 14th street, the city will be installing, re-installing, and repairing the pedestrian safety and stoplight features.
One new feature will be curb extensions, which offer a larger area on the sidewalk by extending the curb farther into the street. Besides providing more room, they also reduce pedestrians’ crossing distance, encourage turning vehicles to reduce their speeds, increase sightlines at the intersection, and create small rain gardens that will aid in storm drainage and improve the area’s natural appeal.
Beyond the curb extensions, the city will also be installing 12″ LED modernized traffic-stop signals, reflectors along the edge of the crosswalks, reflective paint for the actual crosswalks, and the needed infrastructure for these new components.
Additionally, the city is implementing new ADA-compliant curb ramps onto the street, warning strips at all ramps, and refurbished piping and drains for the sewage and storm drain systems. These features will keep the intersection safe for everyone and reduce environmental impacts, flash flooding, and other problematic issues.
This construction is all the result of mayor Bhalla’s initiative in 2019 to eliminate traffic-related deaths by 2030. Consequently, over the past four years, Hoboken has prevented all traffic-related deaths. Bhalla’s program and its emphasis on safety help Hoboken to be safer for everyone, especially children and the elderly, who are more at risk for traffic-related injuries and deaths. The hope is that Hoboken will continue to keep the streets safe for its citizens. The work is to continue through the fall and complete sometime in November. Regardless of the safety features, being attentive, following traffic patterns, and looking around before crossing the street are still effective ways to stay safe while exploring your neighborhood.
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