Pedestrian Deaths on Route 22 Spur Sidewalk, Fencing Improvements

WATCHUNG/GREEN BROOK, NJ — To help improve safety for pedestrians along Route 22 in Somerset County, new sidewalks and fencing continues to be installed.

The $2.3 million federally-funded Route 22 Sidewalk Improvements project in Somerset County addresses concerns from the community on the need for safe and convenient pedestrian passage through the towns of Green Brook, North Plainfield and Watchung, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Pedestrian safety has been a major concern on Route 22 as pedestrians have been spotted jumping medians to cross over the highway. And several pedestrians were also hit by cars and killed recently in Bridgewater.

• See Related: Details Revealed After 2 Pedestrians Killed In N.J. Highway Crash Near Diner: Cops
• See Related: Another Pedestrian Killed By 2 Cars On Route 22 Near Diner
• See Related: Another Death: 4th Person Dies On Same N.J. Highway Stretch

"It is always tragic when a pedestrian is struck and killed, and the Department offers its condolences to the family. NJDOT takes the issue of pedestrian safety extremely seriously and reminds pedestrians that they must act responsibly by utilizing sidewalks and designated crosswalks and by avoiding walking or crossing highways that are not designed for pedestrian access," said Steve Schapiro, Communications Director for NJDOT.

Pedestrian improvements along the Green Brook, North Plainfield and Watchung stretch include:

• Providing continuous sidewalks where allowable,
• Ensuring ADA curb compliance,
• And installing additional median fencing to enforce the use of signalized crosswalks.

The installation of additional fencing is intended to fill in the gaps of pre-existing median fencing along the Route 22 Somerset County corridor, according to the NJDOT.

The sidewalk improvements project began in July 2016, and is expected to be completed by spring 2017.

NJDOT is also working with Somerset County on a project, Route 22 Sustainable Corridor Long Term Improvements project, to improve pedestrian safety in the area between Routes 202/206 and Interstate 287, which runs through Bridgewater and Somerville.

"The project is currently nearing the completion of the Concept Development phase in which Somerset County identified several improvement alternatives. NJDOT is awaiting the county’s final Concept Development report to select a Preliminary Preferred Alternative and then the project may advance to the Preliminary Engineering stage," Schapiro said.

In the meantime, NJDOT encourages pedestrians to be aware of general safety tips, which can be found on NJDOT’s Pedestrian Safety web page, such as how to use pedestrian traffic signals and crosswalks and New Jersey rules governing the responsibilities of pedestrians and drivers.

Some Pedestrian Safety Tips include:

• Wear bright clothing at night
• Go to nearest intersection to cross safely
• Walk against traffic/ride with traffic
• Don’t text while walking

(Photo by Alexis Tarrazi: New sidewalk constructed along Route 22 West in Watchung outside the Watchung Square Mall.)

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