In an editorial, Jersey City Heights resident Beatriz Bofill explains why a multi-use lane for Hoboken’s 14th Street Viaduct is a necessity for safe travel.
Dear Hudson County Executive and Hudson County Commissioners,
I am one of your constituents here is District 6. Since I first came to speak before the board of commissioners on March 10 2022, I have been engaging all of you to install a multi-use lane on the viaduct for cyclist and other active transport users.
I live in the Heights neighborhood of Jersey City and work in Hoboken at the bottom of the 14th St. Viaduct. The roadway on the 14th St. Viaduct is not safe. Although the speed limit is 20 mph cars are traveling at elevated speeds in both directions.
This roadway is not designed to achieve a 20 mph traveling speed due wide lanes and its straight design. I see many cyclists and other micro mobility users utilizing the crowded walkway to travel up and down the 14th St. Viaduct.
This congestion could easily be remedied with a multi-use lane.
The Viaduct connects three cities: Jersey City, Hoboken and Union City. All three mayors have sent the county executive letters of support for a multi-use lane.
In addition, the city councils of Jersey City, Hoboken and Union City (board of commissioners) have voted on resolutions supporting a multi-use lane.
We have 660 petitions signed by persons who are asking for a multi-use lane, and during the installation of the guardrail on the walkway we spoke with individuals who used the area created to protect workers that worked as a de facto multi-use lane and there was overwhelming support to make the lane permanent.
Even motorists were asked what they thought when stopped at a red light. Although some motorist noted there was a slight delay from the removal of a travel lane (depending on the time of day), they were in overwhelming support of the lane.
They understood the need and felt it would be advantageous to have a lane for those moving by bicycle and other micro mobility devices.
It is clear at this point that the cities and people who use the 14th St. Viaduct are in support of creating a multi-use lane. It seems very little is standing in the way of this becoming a reality.
I am asking that the Hudson County commissioners introduce a resolution in support of a multi-use lane on the 14th St. Viaduct.
And that the Hudson County Executive take action and build this multi-use lane. Many bridges are now adding these to allow for equitable and safe travel.
Below is the link for an article detailing 10 newly bike friendly bridges. Please introduce a resolution so we can make Hudson County a safe place to transit for all roadway users.
https://www.lyft.com/blog/posts/introducing-10-newly-bike-friendly-bridges.
If you would like to add your name to the petition to create a multi-use lane on the 14th St. Viaduct please click here.
Best,
Beatriz Bofill
Jersey City Heights & Hudson County District 6 Resident
Editor’s Note: Beatriz Bofill is also the treasurer for Bike JC and a trustee for Hudson County Complete Streets.
Jersey City has stalled the Rebuild by Design flood protection project by withholding the needed easements. Understandable Mayor Fulop wants to bow to his developer friends but he is risking the lives and property of tens of thousands by keeping the project stalled.
Remember that when he asks for your vote to be Governor.