With the goal of making Pennington a safer and more pedestrian friendly town, the Planning and Zoning Board devoted its March 12 meeting to the Mobility Plan Element of the 2025 Master Plan (In Development).
Planning Board Chair Jim Reilly opened the meeting and introduced Andy Jackson, Chair of the Master Plan Committee. Jackson said the focus of the evening would cover the visions and goals of the project.
A major objective of Pennington’s Mobility element is to reduce automobile traffic in the Borough. Supporting this vision, it focuses on safe sidewalks and bicycle routes with links to schools, businesses, and recreation areas. The Plan aims to minimize the impacts of transportation on the environment, including greenhouse gas emissions, and air and noise pollution.
Acknowledging the fact that automotive traffic is not going away, the plan makes recommendations for road safety, improved access to and from Route 31, adequate parking, and public transportation for those who cannot drive.
While meeting these objectives, the Plan is designed to ensure that emergency response vehicles have reliable passage ways, and that the town’s historical character is preserved.
For details of the Plan’s visions and goals, see The Mobility Plan Element published on the Pennington Borough website.
During the review process, Jackson and attendees discussed various topics.
Referring to the bridge on West Delaware Avenue, known as the CSX bridge, Jackson described it as unsafe for pedestrians and motorists. “It is an aging bridge and must be replaced,” he said.
Alternate board member Nazil Rex referred to the Plan which recommends that Mercer County and CSX Railroad “build a safer bridge … with less steep slopes and clearer sightlines to traffic stopped at the Route 31 traffic light.” The Plan also states that there is an exposed gas line on top of the bridge that should be better concealed and protected from the elements.
Davy said he had met with CSX officials but had not been given a commitment for repairs or replacement at this time.
Jackson shared a resident’s suggestion to build a pedestrian and bicycle bridge, and he noted that he would add it to Plan.
Regarding the Route 31 and Delaware Avenue intersection, Jakson suggested the possibility of installing an overpass which would provide a safer crossing for pedestrians.
Speaking about Main Street traffic and safety concerns, Jackson suggested reducing the width of the road available for cars, thereby allowing more physical space for pedestrians.
Acknowledging the growing use of electric vehicles, Jackson pointed out the unique dangers these vehicles pose in cases of accidents and rescue efforts [including electric shock and battery fires]. Mark Blackwell, who is a member of the planning board and the Pennington Fire Company, responded, saying that their fire fighters are well trained to handle accidents involving electric vehicles.
Blackwell also inquired about charging stations for electric vehicles, asking if the Plan covers stations for e-bikes. Jackson responded that its recommendations include stations for cars, and he would add charging capabilities for e-bikes to the Plan.
Susan Bristol, Municipal Policy Specialist with The Watershed Institute, expressed her support for Pennington’s commitment to eliminate flooding and to adopt stormwater management policies.
After the committee discussion, the Planning Board conditionally adopted the Mobility Plan Element, and Reilly thanked Jackson and Master Plan Committee members Kate O’Neill, Amy Kassler-Taub and Nadine Stern for their work in making it happen.
Mobility Plan partners
The Mobility Plan integrates its strategies with Complete & Green Streets designs, and Vision Zero policies.
The Complete & Green Streets approach, developed by several government and nonprofit partners, focuses on pedestrian and vehicle safety and infrastructure to reduce flooding and stress on sewer systems.
Mercer County’s Vision Zero is an initiative that aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries on county and municipal roads.
Behind the scenes
The Mobility Plan Element was developed by the Master Plan Committee and the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC is composed of 15 resident volunteers who were appointed by the Mayor in October 2023. The Plan’s writing team includes Roger Demareski, Meredith Moore, Allison Neary, Natalie Shivers, Kristin Tunkel, Rick Smith, Doug Pinelli, with Jackson as chair.
The 2025 Mobility Plan draws on content from previous Pennington publications and references on the Borough website including the 1998 Master Plan, the 2002 Route 31 Design Study, and the 2023 Reexamination Reports. It also includes information from the Open Space and Recreation Plan; and the Green Buildings and Environmental Sustainability Plan.
Among several outside sources, the Plan draws on studies conducted by the Federal Highway Administration and traffic pattern reports published by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.
