Ordinance Seeks To Limit Speed On Princeton’s Witherspoon, John Street

PRINCETON, NJ — Council on Monday introduced an ordinance that seeks to regulate speed limits on Witherspoon Street and John Street.

The ordinance seeks to amend municipality codes to establish a 20-mph speed limit for the entire length of John Street and Witherspoon Street. Currently, the speed limit on both streets is 25 mph.

Witherspoon Street is going through a redesign phase with traffic calming elements including raised crosswalks, curb extensions, and travel lane narrowing.

In his memo to the mayor and council, Municipal Engineer Jim Purcell noted that the number of pedestrians and bicyclists has increased on the street over the past few years.

“Witherspoon Street traverses the central business district and the historic Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, serving an elementary school, the municipal complex, and fire and first aid squad facilities. For all the reasons, it is appropriate that the speed be reduced to 20 miles per hour,” Purcell said in his memo.

The municipal engineer further noted that John Street is already a 20 mph street between Paul Robeson Place and Leigh Avenue. The new ordinance will extend this to the north of Leigh Avenue.

“This section of John Street from Leigh Avenue to the Community Park South parking lot is of a similar character and configuration and it is appropriate that the speed limit be reduced to 20 miles per hour to be consistent with the rest of the street already so designated,” Purcell wrote.

Princeton adopted a Vision Zero Policy and the design of municipal roads is based on the concept of Safe Streets and Roads for All. The reduction of speed on these roads will add to safety for all.

“These policies are intended to create a safer environment for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists, reducing the severity of crashes and the severity of injuries,” Purcell wrote. “Along with the traffic calming measures implemented on John Street and to be implemented on Witherspoon Street, the speed reduction provides an added measure of safety for everyone.”

The reduction in speed limit has been endorsed by the Princeton Police Traffic Safety Bureau and is subject to approval by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

A public hearing on the ordinance will take place on Jan. 23.

To read the ordinance, click here.

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