Jersey City, as part of the next step in its Vision Zero initiative to keep pedestrians safe, will commence a turn hardening program at 17 high-crash intersections across the city, Mayor James Solomon announced.
Photo via Jersey City Vision Zero Action Plan.
By Dan Israel/Hudson County View
“People have been hurt and killed at these intersections, and far too often it was because a driver took the turn too fast,” Solomon said in a statement.
“Starting this week, we are changing the design of these corners so that drivers have to slow down. These are practical, low-cost fixes that will save lives, and we are going to keep building them until every one of these 17 intersections is done.”
Work on the first three intersections will begin immediately, with the remaining locations to be installed this fall and in spring of 2027.
Solomon also touted how this is a first-of-its-kind program in New Jersey and is amongst leading programs globally.
Turn hardening places physical traffic-calming elements, including speed humps and fixed barriers, at the corners of intersections so drivers have to make slower, tighter turns, according to the mayor’s office.
Wide, fast turns put drivers into conflict with people in the crosswalk, he said, and slowing the turn gives drivers more time to see pedestrians and cyclists- reducing both the number and the severity of crashes.
The 17 intersections were identified through Jersey City’s Vision Zero program as high-crash locations, and the locations chosen represent a variety of intersection types.
The performance of turn hardening design and devices at these initial locations will guide program expansion in future years, according to Solomon.
From 2019 through part of 2026, the City recorded 1,824 crashes involving injury or death that were classified as left-turn or right-turn crashes.
Those included seven fatal crashes and 80 crashes with suspected serious injuries.
Work begins this week, weather permitting, at the first three intersections:
Central Avenue and Congress StreetSummit Avenue and Leonard StreetSummit Avenue and Manhattan Avenue
The remaining 14 intersections will be installed this fall and in spring 2027:
Martin Luther King Drive and Warner AvenueWest Side Avenue and Boyd AvenueCommunipaw Avenue and Mallory AvenueCentral Avenue and Jefferson AvenueSip Avenue and Summit AvenueMontgomery Street and Barrow StreetChristopher Columbus Drive and Warren StreetMarin Boulevard and 6th StreetManila Avenue and 6th StreetJersey Avenue and 6th StreetMartin Luther King Drive and Union StreetMartin Luther King Drive and Claremont AvenueMartin Luther King Drive and Ege AvenueOcean Avenue and Danforth Avenue
“We are following the data to reduce risks of another death on our streets. Left turning crashes are one of the leading causes of death and injuries to pedestrians on our streets,” added Jersey City Department of Infrastructure Director Andy Kaplan.
“Turn hardening is a well-established tool for addressing them. Safely designed infrastructure can prevent traffic violence and reduces injury by reducing speeds and kinetic energy. Hardened intersections let drivers get where they are going, just at a slower turning speed to see the person in the crosswalk.”
Additionally, the city will provide updates as additional locations are scheduled.
