By: Brian Shappell
South Brunswick, Franklin and the state Department of Transportation wants input from Kingston residents about walkways and bikeways in the village center.
The two townships, in conjunction with the DOT and the Kingston Village Advisory Task Force, are having a public meeting Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Kingston Fire House to present a study designed to improve pedestrian access to the village center on Main Street. The study, which is the product of three meetings that began late last year, is a wish list of improvements, including sidewalk, crosswalk, and speed-limit changes, according to task force Chairwoman Anne Zeman.
Kingston is located in South Brunswick, Franklin and Princeton townships.
"This is an opportunity for people to look at the study and voice any suggestions they may have," Ms. Zeman said. "There still may be some things we overlooked."
The task force was formed in 1997 and has worked on traffic problems and obtaining Village Center status for the village. The Village Center designation was received in 2001.
Ms. Zeman said the study will precede a grant application that would help pay for pedestrian improvements. She said the amount of the grant, which will be requested within the year, has yet to be determined.
"That depends on what the DOT representatives approve of," Ms. Zeman said.
"If anyone would like to give us millions we’re available," she joked.
Ms. Zeman said improvements are needed because it is difficult for pedestrians to get around the business area of Kingston safely.
"There isn’t really a safe place to walk or ride a bike from the village businesses to the canal," said Ms. Zeman.
