Parking And Bikes: What Should Go On Hoboken's Waterfront Road, Sinatra Drive?

HOBOKEN, NJ — What do you want to see along Hoboken's waterfront road, Sinatra Drive: Slower traffic, more parking, more bike access? The city wants your ideas via a survey, particularly for the section near Fourth Street.

The city will use $1.2 million in New Jersey Department of Transportation funding to upgrade that area of the road to improve access, connectivity, and safety (in conjunction with the city's Vision Zero plan that has reduced accidents), as well as green infrastructure to beautify the roadway and absorb rainwater.

Right now, people using the area are walkers, joggers, cyclists, people pushing strollers, drivers, and fans of the nearby skate park.

There are gaps in pedestrian and bicycle facilities along the 0.7-mile stretch of Sinatra Drive between Fourth Street and Hudson Street, the city says, as acknowledged in the Vision Zero Action Plan and Street Design Guide.

The survey asks how you'd want the area to change: Should they calm traffic more? Have more pedestrian crossings? Focus on parking? Add more lighting? More trees?

Wide ranging questions include, "What do you LIKE about Sinatra Drive? If you could redesign Sinatra Drive, what would you keep?"

Through the redesign, Hoboken’s Green Circuit will be continuous from Pier A to the 14th Street Ferry.

“Revitalizing Sinatra Drive, with a focus on pedestrian safety, is the latest major investment we’re making to upgrade our waterfront,” said Mayor Ravi Bhalla. “I encourage residents to participate in the public planning process with the survey we’re releasing today, so we can create a new and improved roadway that is envisioned by the community.”

Survey responses will help the city and project consultants create concept designs for the popular waterfront street’s redesign, which will be presented at a public meeting later this spring.

In 2020, the city completed Phase 1 improvements to the South Waterfront Walkway along Sinatra Drive from Newark Street to Fourth Street through a partnership with the Hoboken South Waterfront Corporation. This project improved the pavers, railings, benches, lighting, trees, and plantings along the waterfront walkway, creating an improved experience for residents and visitors alike.

Phase 2 improvements, scheduled to begin this spring, will repave the South Waterfront Bikeway from Newark Street to Fourth Street.

To take the five-minute online survey, go to www.hobokennj.gov/SinatraDriveRedesignSurvey. The survey is scheduled to close on April 6.

To learn more about the Sinatra Drive Redesign project, go to www.hobokennj.gov/SinatraDriveRedesign.