Township of West Windsor - Projects Around Town

Projects Around Town
(1/19/10 Updates are underlined)

Project Description: Improve County Route 571 (CR 571) from Clarksville Road to the Wallace Road/Cranbury Road intersection. This would consist of widening the road in places, adding bike lanes, sidewalks, and improving the streetscape. A concept design was been approved by the Township Council in November, 2005 and forwarded to the County. A CD is available for purchase from the Planning and Zoning Office for $7.00 or the concept plan may be viewed online. (DETAILS)

Funding: Federal funding will be sought by the County with support of the Township.

Status:A Categorical Exclusion Document has been completed and sent to the NJ Department of Transportation (NJDOT). This document presents environmental and historical data as well as any other impacts that the project may have. After review and approval, it will be sent to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This is required if federal dollars are to be used for the project. The design firm held an open house to provide information on the project to the public in December, 2009 (presentation). Right-of-way for road and intersection widening is being discussed.

Project Description: Restore a barn, carriage house, and school house on the Schenck Farmstead property. This project has been in progress since 1997. The Schenck Farmstead is where the Township has established a focal point to celebrate West Windsor’s farming history. The West Windsor Historical Society maintains and stocks the house and outbuildings providing tours and fund raising activities throughout the year.

Barn:
Install custom doors and period piece windows; replace metal walls on the back portion of the barn; install water and sewer connections; install rough plumbing; pour a concrete slab for the shed, install entry ramps; provide basic electric and sprinkler system; finish interior with painting, lighting, and interior framing; complete landscaping.

Carriage House:
Dismantle and reconstruct the existing 100 year old carriage house. The carriage house is an excellent example of early 20th century architecture.

School House:
Dismantle and reconstruct the only remaining one-room school house in West Windsor Township. The goal would be to restore the school house to circa 1900 when it was last occupied.

Funding: This project is being funded from municipal capital improvement funds.

Status:
Barn
The custom doors and period piece windows on the barn have been completed. The Township has awarded the bid for the next phase of the restoration project which includes the final fit-out (e.g., plumbing, electric, painting, lighting, landscaping, etc.)

Carriage House
The Township has awarded the bid for the next phase of the restoration project which includes the construction of footings and foundation for a restored Carriage House.

Parsonage House (aka School House)
The Township has awarded the next phase of this project which includes the construction of footings and foundation for the restored Parsonage House.

Project Description: Signal modifications, signage, and pedestrian markings along Alexander Road at the intersections with Canal Pointe Boulevard, Carnegie Way, Roszel Road, and Vaughn Drive

Funding: This project is being funded from municipal capital improvement funds.

Status: Intersection improvements including pedestrian count down timers, high visibility crosswalks, signage and pavement reflectors have been completed at the intersection of Alexander Road, Vaughn Drive and Bear Brook Road. Remaining is the timing of the lights along Alexander Road beginning with the signal at Vaughn Drive. Engineering for the timing has been completed and is currently being reviewed by the NJDOT. Construction is scheduled for summer of 2010.

Project Description: Improve visual enhancements such as high visibility crosswalks and in-street pedestrian signage for Village Road West at the intersections with Reed Drive, Oakwood Way, and South Mill Roads. In addition, a traffic analysis for possible speed limit reduction and a no passing zone is also included.

Funding: This project is being funded from municipal capital improvement funds. West Windsor Township has also been awarded an additional $95,000 of funding by the NJDOT for supplementary improvements as part of this project.

Status: The original engineering design had been completed. However, further engineering is necessary for the additional improvements. This project will be bid in the spring of 2010 with construction in the summer of 2010.

Project Description: The West Windsor Township Annual Road Improvement Program was initiated in 2004 to ensure that the aging roads of the Township were maintained.

Funding: This is being funded through the Township capital improvements budget

Status: Engineering for this improvement will begin over the winter of 2009 and will be awarded in the summer of 2010. The following roads and/or intersections are scheduled for repair: Lillie Street, Wallace Road, and Southfield Road.

Project Description: Install new concrete sidewalks along Alexander Road between Vaughn Drive and the new Alexander Road Bridge, along North Post Road between the new bridge and Courtney Drive, and along Wallace Road.

Funding: This project is being funded through the Township capital improvement budget and a “Safe Routes to Transit” grant that is funded through the NJDOT.

Status:Engineering plans have been reviewed and approved by the NJDOT and other local agencies. The Township is in the process of obtaining the necessary easements from residents and businesses to complete this project. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2010.

Project Description: Replace concrete sidewalks throughout the township where street trees have lifted the sidewalk segments resulting in potential tripping hazards.

Funding: This is being funded through the Township capital improvement budget. This program is funded on a bi-annual basis and is anticipated to begin again in the 2010 budget calendar year.

Project Description: Extend bike lanes throughout the Township including right-of-way acquisition, engineering, inspection, road widening, signage, striping, etc. This project is to construct a macadam pedestrian/bicycle path along South Post Road from North Post Road to the Casperson Boat House on Lake Mercer. The path will run along the Mercer Oaks golf course.

Funding:
A combination of Township capital improvement budget and grants. This project is being funded by a $125,000 grant from the NJDOT.

Status: The Township is actively seeking proposals from engineering consultants for the preparation of design drawings and public bidding documents.

Project Description: Engineer and construct roadway improvements to Penn Lyle Road between Westwinds Drive and New Village Road which will include improved drainage, striping, signage, sidewalk, curb, and pedestrian facilities. Additionally, a speed survey will be completed and the passing zones will be evaluated to determine if any adjustments are permitted.

Funding: This project is being funded through the Township capital improvement budget and a NJDOT grant.

Status:Engineering plans are being reviewed by the NJ DOT and other local agencies. The Township is in the process of obtaining the necessary permits. Construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2010.

Project Description: Evaluate Canal Pointe Boulevard in response to the “High Priority Safety Mitigation Study.” This project will analyze the present and future traffic patterns to determine the feasibility of implementing short term and long term improvements designed to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety.

Funding: This project is being funded through the Township capital improvement budget.

Status:An engineering contract was awarded to Orth-Rodgers Associates, Inc. A draft report has been provided to the Township and is under review.

Project Description: Install sewers in the Heatherfield development. This will be completed in two phases. Phase I will install a gravity line in most of Heatherfield. Phase II will install a pump station and the lines for the remainder.

Funding: Sewer connections are initially funded by the Township which is recovered by tax assessments on the homeowners in the affected development.

Status: Phase I construction has been completed and the sanitary mains are operational within Phase I. Phase II construction including a Pump Station has been initiated and is scheduled to be completed by spring 2010.

Project Description: Evaluate and implement improvements required to achieve compliance with building codes and assure the safe public use of this building.

Funding: A combination of grant money and municipal capital improvements funds will be used to complete this project.

Status: A construction contract has been awarded and the improvements are scheduled to be completed by summer 2010.

Project Description: Engineer and construct roadway improvements to the ‘S’ curve section of Alexander Road including improved drainage, striping, signage, and pedestrian facilities.

Funding: This is being funded through the Township capital improvements budget. A grant has been awarded as well and will allow more to be constructed sooner.

Status:Engineering plans have been completed and are currently being reviewed by NJDOT, Mercer County Soil Conservation District, and the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission for necessary approvals. This project is scheduled for a summer 2010 construction start and is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2010.

Project description: Extend Meadow Road to the Carnegie Center Connector Road and Meadow Road Overpass eliminating the existing curvature of the road. In addition, the project will include the reconstruction and widening of the entire length of Meadow Road including intersection improvements at Clarksville Road.

Funding: This project is being funded 100% by Transportation Improvement District (TID) money. This is a fund established through developer and Township contributions to fund certain infrastructure projects.

Status:

The project is planned to be completed in two phases.
Phase I will reconstruct Meadow Road from the Meadow Road overpass at Route One to approximately 1,000 feet east of Bear Brook Road.

Phase II will continue the road improvements from Phase I to the Clarksville Road intersection.

Construction for Phase I has been initiated and is anticipated to be completed in spring 2010.

Project Description: This project will develop a land use plan for the West Windsor Township “Area in need of Redevelopment” which will be presented to the West Windsor Planning Board and approved by the Township Council. Upon acceptance of this plan, zoning ordinances can be enacted to establish a mini-master plan for the area.

Funding: Development of the plan will be funded through a combination of the Township capital improvements budget and grants.

Status: The Redevelopment Plan was approved on March 23, 2009. Ordinance 2009-04 was also adopted March 23 to amend Chapter 200 (Land Use) of the Township Code with the new zoning. Ed McManimon of the firm McManimon & Scotland was retained as the Township’s redevelopment attorney. Township representatives met with state agencies and county representatives to discuss the redevelopment area. Meetings have been held with NJ Transit to review plans for a parking structure and infrastructure needs.

Information on redevelopment chronologically can be found at the Township’s website www.WestWindsorNJ.org under Redevelopment (see left side of the main page).

Project Description: Restore the Grovers Mill Pond. The goal is to restore its fisheries habitat. The restoration will be accomplished through sediment removal from the existing pond to create better water depths for local fishery populations. In addition, habitat structures will be placed into the pond to further enhance the existing fishery habitat. The NJ Department of Fish and Wildlife will be stocking the pond early next summer with largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and bullhead fish.

Funding: A combination of federal grant money and municipal capital improvements funds will be used to fund the pond restoration.

Status:Dredging operations and fish restocking have been completed. The final phase engineering documents are currently being prepared by the Army Corp of Engineers which will entail the mixing and regrading of the containment area currently in Community Park. It is anticipated that this work will begin by summer 2010.

Project Description: Replace the bridge currently spanning the railroad tracks at North Post Road and Alexander Road. This new bridge will provide for pedestrians and bicycles and will have a large round-about for traffic calming.

Funding: Design and construction of the project are supported by State funds in the Capital Improvement Plan of NJDOT.

Status:Utility poles remain to be moved and lighting added.

Grovers Mill Pond
Project Description: Restore the Grovers Mill Pond. The goal is to restore its fisheries habitat. The restoration will be accomplished through sediment removal from the existing pond to create better water depths for local fishery populations. In addition, habitat structures will be placed into the pond to further enhance the existing fishery habitat. The NJ Department of Fish and Wildlife will be stocking the pond early summer 2009 with largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and bullhead fish.

Sidewalk Repair Program
Project Description: Replace concrete sidewalks throughout the township where street trees have lifted the sidewalk segments resulting in potential tripping hazards.

Community Park Improvements
Project Description: Implement various improvements and added features to the West Windsor Township Community Park. Recently completed projects include the parking lot expansion by the Waterworks pool facility, a new skate park & dog parks, basketball courts, and new lighting for the football fields. A new macadam path has been constructed around the dog parks. Fields have been reseeded.

Hendrickson Park Expansion
Project Description: Expansion of the parking area on Hendrickson Drive.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements
Project Description: Construction of a bridge across the Big Bear Brook and a bicycle/ pedestrian pathway along the PSE&G right-of-way between Rabbit Hill Road and Penn Lyle Road.

Bike Lane Extension Program
Project Description: Bicycle lanes have been provided along Southfield Road between New Village Road and the Plainsboro Township border, Lanwin Boulevard, Bennington Drive, Woodmere Way, Rabbit Hill Road between the Trolley Line Trail and Bennington Drive, South Mill Road between Woodmere Way and the Trolley Line Trail, Village Road West between Stirling Road and North Post Road.

Dutch Neck School Beacon
Project Description: Installation of a speed beacon similar to that of Maurice Hawk School to slow traffic during school drop-off and pick-up times. The traffic patterns of the Dutch Neck School are very similar to Maurice Hawk in that there is a lot of pedestrian activity during these times on Village Road.

Princeton Junction Redevelopment Study
Project Description: Study of the Princeton Junction area to determine whether or not it qualifies as an “Area in need of Redevelopment” and if so, its boundaries. This study was the first step in developing a redevelopment plan. The Princeton Junction Redevelopment Study may be viewed online. (DETAILS)

Grover Mill Dam
Project Description: Repair the dam at Grovers Mill Pond. The present earthen dam is 400 ft long and 11 ft high and forms the base for Clarksville Road. The dam was in need of repair and has now been completed. Clarksville Road running over the dam has been repaved and re-striped by the County.

Hendrickson Drive Tennis Courts
Project Description: Renovate the Hendrickson Drive tennis courts and the rebound wall court. Playground equipment nearby has been replaced.

Vision Study
Project Description: Establish a conceptual vision for possible development of the area west of the train station. The final report is available on CD from Community Development for $7.00. You may also access the report through this link: Vision Study. Given the size of this report, please do not attempt to download it using a dial-up connection.

Orth Rogers Report
Project Description: Prepare a Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan for West Windsor Township. This was performed by Orth -Rodgers & Associates, Inc., a planning consulting firm, retained by the NJ Department of Transportation (NJDOT). This plan was completed with the assistance of a project steering committee comprised of Township staff and residents and has now been incorporated into the Master Plan.

County Route 571 (CR 571) Interim Improvements
Project Description: Mercer County re-striped CR 571from Clarksville to Wallace Road. A crosswalk and signage was added to Sherbrooke Drive crossing CR 571. West Windsor Township provided additional lighting.

Duck Pond Park
Project Description: Implement the initial phase of a park on Meadow Road. It was recommended by the Open Space Utilization Task Force that this park be developed with irrigated and illuminated ball fields; comfort stations; nature, jogging/walking, and biking trails; court games; and an amphitheater. The first phase provided an access road, parking, and stormwater basins.

BRT Feasibility Study
Project Description: The BRT would provide alternative transportation to relieve traffic in and around the Route One corridor. Called the Central New Jersey Route 1 Bus Rapid Transit Alternatives Analysis Study, it was managed by NJ Transit. The study, dated February, 2006, is complete and available on the Route 1 BRT web site: http://www.dvrpc.org/LongRangePlan/CentralJerseyForum/brt.htm under PRODUCTS/DOWNLOADS. A presentation given to the Central Jersey Transportation Forum (CJTF) in March, 2006 is also available.

Millstone Road Reconstruction
Project Description: Reconstruction of Millstone Road from Cranbury Road to the Plainsboro border. Construction will include bike capable shoulders on both sides as well as curbing.

South Lane Paving
Project Description: Mill and overlay South Lane from Windsor Road to Village Road East.