The City of Hoboken has completed school zone safety improvements ahead of a new school years, part of ongoing Vision Zero efforts in the Mile Square City.
Photo courtesy of the City of Hoboken.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Every Hoboken student deserves a safe trip to and from school. Over the summer we have worked with our partners at Hudson County to make school zones safer, more visible, and easier for everyone to navigate,” Mayor Emily Jabbour said in a statement.
“As the new school year begins, I urge everyone to slow down, stay alert, follow posted signage and crossing guard instruction, and give our youngest community members the extra time and space they need to get to and from school safely.”
As part of the City’s Vision Zero commitment to eliminate all traffic injuries and deaths by 2030, crews within the Departments of Infrastructure and Transportation and Parking have worked to improve visibility at pedestrian crossings near school arrival and dismissal areas.
“Keeping our children safe is job number one and is a shared responsibility. The restriping of crosswalks throughout the City of Hoboken demonstrates what we can accomplish when county and municipal governments work together. I want to thank the dedicated men and women of the Hudson County Department of Roads and Public Property for their hard work in completing these improvements,” added Hudson County Executive Craig Guy.
“Clear, visible crosswalks are an important part of creating safer streets and protecting our young people as another school year begins. Hudson County is proud to partner with Hoboken and communities across the county to advance our Vision Zero goals and make safety a priority for all our residents.”
The city has recently day lit 43 intersections near schools to improve driver and pedestrian visibility, refreshed pavement markings, replaced faded signage to make school pick-up and drop-off areas more visible, constructed a curb extension at Seventh and Madison Streets.
They have also installed additional bicycle parking around schools. Both the City and Hudson County have recently replaced worn away crosswalks at 14 intersections in school zones with new, high-visibility markings including the following locations:
• Garden Street and Fourth Street
• Hudson Street and Eighth Street
• Willow Avneue and 11th Street
• Willow Avenue and 12th Street
• Fourth Street and Bloomfield Street
• Fourth street and Jefferson Street
• Fifth Street and Bloomfield Street
• Second Street and Madison Street
• Second Street and Monroe Street
• Third Street and Jefferson Street
• Ninth Street and Bloomfield Street
• 12th Street and Clinton Street
• Fourth Street and River Street
• Ninth Street and Washington Street
The city arborist and Department of Public Works crews are also removing foliage that obstructs signage.
Community members are reminded to follow the speed limit, which is 15 mph in school zones, slow down, and remain alert in school zones and keep crosswalks clear.
Further, officials urge to never double park near schools as double parking can hinder visibility of pedestrians, cause traffic congestion, impede other road users, and slow emergency response times and use designated student drop-off and pick-up areas.
To further improve safety near schools, the administration is also working with the Hoboken City Council to update local laws regarding temporary street closures for safe school drop-off and dismissal.
The updated legislation would prohibit drivers from moving their vehicles parked on the temporarily closed street until the road is reopened.
The ordinance is scheduled for Council review and final vote on Sept. 16 during the councils regular bi-monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at Hoboken City Hall, located at 94 Washington St.
