Proposed long term projects
5: bus stop improvements
The existing bus stops in the site area include three with bus shelters and five additional stop locations without shelters. As noted in the re-striping project, the existing stop locations should be adjusted to coordinate better with the on street parking and to ensure that the bus stops are not located in active traffic lanes.
If possible, the bus shelter design should be reconsidered to allow for structures that relate more to the historic character of the neighborhood. The current prefabricated bus shelters include a red colored translucent roof structure, dark metal posts and supports, an advertising wall, and clear plastic wind screens. Trash cans are not located at any of the current bus stops nor is any directional signage or way-finding maps for Trenton. Bus schedules are also not included in the existing structures and should be incorporated if a new design is developed.
If possible, the bus shelter design should be reconsidered to allow for structures that relate more to the historic character of the neighborhood. The current prefabricated bus shelters include a red colored translucent roof structure, dark metal posts and supports, an advertising wall, and clear plastic wind screens. Trash cans are not located at any of the current bus stops nor is any directional signage or way-finding maps for Trenton. Bus schedules are also not included in the existing structures and should be incorporated if a new design is developed.
The bus stops nearest to the County’s Civil Courthouse should be adjusted so that they do not impede precious on street parking. The proposed locations (see enlarged plan above) indicate locations where Broad Street narrows nearest to the entry to Mill Hill Park as well as a proposed location in front of the NJDCA Building. The location near Mill Hill Park is recommended because it is bounded between a curb cut serving a parking lot behind a drive through bank as well as the edge of the Assunpink Creek bridge at Broad Street. This location is also ideal because it has space for queuing of riders at the entry to Mill Hill Park. The NJDCA location is ideal because the space is limited between the two adjacent streets and there is not a potential for on street parking in that location either.
At Market and South Broad Streets, the existing locations of the bus stops are proposed to remain, but striping, signage, and potential curb adjustments would be beneficial, especially along the Market Street location. The existing Market Street bus stops are located in active traffic lanes and so surrounding traffic must maneuver around the bus during stops. The diagram above indicates a dedicated pull-out space for the bus so that traffic is not blocked. At South Broad Street, the striping must be improved so that the bus stop is clearly defined and also so that on street parking spaces are clearly and distinct from the bus stop.
At Centre Street and South Broad Street, the bus stop locations should be adjusted as shown so that bus parking does not impede on street parking in front of the businesses along the even numbered 300 block of South Broad Street. The Southbound bus stop should also be adjusted so that it is located adjacent to the church (where on street parking is not allowed). The diagram above also indicates potential curb adjustments at Centre Street to allow for improved access from South Broad Street as well as the elimination of the 4-lane to 2-lane transition at South Broad Street.