As part of the Borough’s continued efforts towards improving safety in our downtown, we are pleased to welcome the final phase of the end-to-end speed limit reduction on Board Street to 25 mph this week! Permanent signs have been placed on East Broad Street (County Route 518), matching the reduction on West Broad Street (County Route 654) implemented last month. A portion of Route 654 west of Broad Street in Hopewell Township has also been lowered from 45 mph to 35 mph as an additional safety measure entering town. Working with the Hopewell Township Police Department (HTPD), the Brough and its partners will begin an education phase about the changes, which includes signs and banners, along with electronic messaging boards placed in locations approaching the Borough. After this education phase, There will be several weeks of increased enforcement. Periods of increased enforcement will then happen intermittently to ensure that drivers continue to obey the new traffic laws.
The changes are part of our Borough’s long-term Vision Zero commitment to protect pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users and create a more walkable, livable community for our residents, visitors and businesses. We are thankful of the hard work and assistance from our partners at the Mercer County Board of Commissioners, county engineer Basit Muzaffar and his staff, County Executive Dan Benson, the Hopewell Township Committee, our volunteers on the Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Advisory Committee, and the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association, who all assisted in the Borough’s efforts to make this change a reality. The Borough is especially thankful to the HTPD for their help in education and enforcement of the new rules.
The chart below will be included in some of the education materials distributed to help explain the new speed limits, and shows the survival rate of pedestrians when struck at various speeds, highlighting the safety benefits of slowing down. Hopewell Borough is excited to share the news of this change, and continues its efforts to create a safer environment for residents and visitors. Please slow down and enjoy town!
