Hoboken mayor says Grand Street traffic redesign will stay for now - despite council opposition
There is a protected bike lane, curb extensions and high-visibility crosswalks aimed at pedestrian safety in a city that has gone nine years without a traffic death.
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Ten months into a Hoboken bike lane pilot program, most of City Council says its seen enough and wants to pull the plug. The mayor says it’s going to stay the way it is.
Five blocks of Grand Street in Hoboken - from Eighth to Third - are a little different than the rest. The street is narrower, the parking spots are lined and there’s a protected bike lane on the left side shoulder. It’s a traffic safety pilot program - some say with unintended consequences.
“The lane is just so narrow!" said Ward 3 Councilman Michael Russo. “Local businesses are telling me that they can’t function normally. Their dropoffs are hindered. They can’t get to their own parking lots.”
The council voted 7-2 calling to end the program early. But mayor Emily Jabbour says this vote is non-binding, and the program will continue until its scheduled end around November.
“A pilot is meant to test out options," Jabbour said. "What we want to do is make sure we’re looking at data and providing evidence as part of the discussion about how to move forward. It’s not as easy as going out there as a paint can and changing it.”
“First responders before this pilot used this as a main thoroughfare to get through the city of Hoboken," said Russo. "They’re having trouble doing that now. They have to turn off.”
The mayor says it’s more than a bike lane: there are curb extensions and high-visibility crosswalks aimed at pedestrian safety in a city that has gone nine years without a traffic death.
“A number of residents came out, we heard their concerns, we know that they’re valid," said Jabbour. "What we’re doing now is putting together a process to ensure the entire community has the opportunity to comment.”
Residents can submit their feedback by emailing GrandStreetPilot@hobokennj.gov. There is also an online survey and in-person meetings planned.
