Submitted by Swiminbleach t3_yr1p55 in jerseycity

Another person just got hit at the intersection of 139 Baldwin Ave. The city in the state cannot decide who controls the intersection. Which is led to many hours of debate and confusion. A year ago a woman died, trying to cross the intersection to get to work. She was hit by a federal worker and no word was released about her consequences.

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Knobbies4Ever t1_ivrjj6d wrote

Sorry to hear this. Crossing Rt 139 is so dangerous for pedestrians... it's crazy the state DOT just redesigned this road a few years ago and now we're stuck with this death trap.

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Connor61802 t1_ivrksog wrote

139 needs major traffic calming and perhaps even a road diet with a protected bike lane and pedestrian islands

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keepseeing444 t1_ivrqg6s wrote

It’s infuriating to see this happen again. There was a plan to make Baldwin one way with a bike lane but Boggiano winning his reelection put a damper on that. One way traffic on narrower Baldwin would slow the cars down and increase safety. And speed cameras on 139 would go a long way if there is any appetite for enforcement but these people in charge don’t give af.

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jgweiss t1_ivrsm52 wrote

'damper' is an understatement; he is refusing to hear any support for the city's safety plan. I'm not sure if there is more support in and around ward c for or against the plan, but I can promise Richie doesn't know either.

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Swiminbleach OP t1_ivs3tfv wrote

I have a call with him tomorrow. The (one of many) issues is that the city and the state don’t want to take responsibility for the road. I’ve been going back and forth with both. They blame each other.

Unfortunately, this idea of a bike lane needs to be thrown out the window. Maybe down the line it can work, but people need to stop focusing on that. Richard is not going to go for that and I would rather focus on what could actually be an improvement instead of asking for a bike lane.

I’m excited to talk to him, and I demanded to know more information about that poor woman who passed away. Her family was left to their own devices and had a hire a lawyer. I need to get in contact with them again.

I’ve also thought about contacting Cbs or another major news organization to highlight this dangerous road.

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jgweiss t1_ivswjpb wrote

maybe thats my problem, i still think he should listen to all his constituents, not just the ones who dont want bike lanes. personally i still have hope for summit ave, as there are very few parking spots connecting the heights to mcginley sq (there are NINE spaces between pershing field and newark ave).

but good luck! fair warning: you are likely not going to speak with him, but his chief of staff ... Pam is the one true Ward C councilperson

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njmids t1_ivrwwar wrote

The state does not allow speed cameras, and making Baldwin a one way would not make crossing 139 any safer. The lady died last year was crossing 139.

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keepseeing444 t1_ivryc1g wrote

I learned something new about red light cameras laws. Ty! No wonder Jersey drivers get their reputation. One way would simplify crossing for pedestrians which reduces crashes as long as the street is not too wide. You don’t think it would make a difference? If I am walking along Baldwin and crossing 139 I am only looking for cars front or behind me but not both and left or wright depending on which side of 139 I am passing.

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njmids t1_ivrynen wrote

Baldwin being one or two lanes would not have made a difference in last years death. The car that hit her was traveling east along 139 and she was crossing 139 going north/south along Baldwin. She was not crossing Baldwin.

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Swiminbleach OP t1_ivs35kw wrote

I believe she was hit on 139 going south on Baldwin. She was walking to the filipino bakery, where she worked.

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Jahooodie t1_ivxxam4 wrote

First off, I dunno whatever fly over bullshit state you’re from but- we know how to drive here it’s everyone else is the problem. Bada bing print that on a point pleasant tee shirt, forgetta bout it!

Also many of our highways are designed like shit due to space constraints and historical reasons (shits older here, like before cars some shit made more sense). If you live here now, do your best to pressure local, county, and state representatives for change (as often jurisdictions are a morass of overlap)

Stay out of the left lane, make fun of PA drivers for not doing that, and make fun of the NYC drivers for being the ‘crazy ones’. Hail Mary full of grace, Taylor ham, amen

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lucke0204 t1_ivsw99a wrote

More pedestrians isn't the problem. The 4 lane state highway built through a residential neighborhood cutting off safe access to mass transportation is the problem.

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Chilltopjc t1_ivvwanv wrote

And, more specifically, NJDOT redesigned it a few years ago and made it LESS safe for pedestrians in the name of improving "throughput" for cars.

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ScumbagMacbeth t1_ivt5vbv wrote

I've been in touch with Boggiano's office since March about safety issues on Baldwin. Over the summer I was told something would be done at my intersection "by the end of August". It hasn't happened yet and they stopped answering my emails, I haven't heard anything since September 8th. Bunch of clowns.

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lucke0204 t1_ivt67vm wrote

I'm also a Baldwin Ave resident. I know in the past there was a neighborhood campaign to address the issues - maybe it's time to jump start that again. If you're interested, send me a DM. I know where to get the old poster design.

It's much easier for politicians to ignore a single person complaining, but if we get organized maybe we can force some change to finally happen.

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jjsalter t1_ivtdfkr wrote

I live on Baldwin. I am happy to participate. I'm open to any idea that could increase safety on this road. I have a young daughter and I'm nervous every time we walk to her daycare.

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Potential Ideas:

Speed bumps or stop sign at every intersection

One way with only one lane. I would feel safer with a row of parked cars between the sidewalk and the street. Narrower street = slower speeds. Pro: additional parking on one side of the street

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ScumbagMacbeth t1_ivtvsld wrote

They can't put speed bumps on Baldwin because it's an emergency road.

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robotmlg t1_ivutag3 wrote

what does that mean? isn't every road an emergency road

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ScumbagMacbeth t1_ivw86sc wrote

Not really. Certain wider roads that run longer stretches are designated as emergency roads so fire trucks, ambulances, etc. can get through at top speed. These roads can't have speed bumps.

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growthseer t1_ivvrwlc wrote

I also live in Baldwin. Let’s band together. Rt 139 along with Baldwin need a redesign that prioritizes pedestrians instead of the death trap it is right now.

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Grubbymaddison t1_iwtddgx wrote

Boggiano will not do a thing but keep things as it he won his last election because people don’t want bike lanes on Baldwin

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jgweiss t1_ivrsfsa wrote

so grateful for the redesign; it allows for county cops and their buddies to get some primo parking (photo from a few weeks back).

as ive very quickly learned, the city doesn't care if citizens are killed so long as the aggressor is in a car. the bottleneck at the construction site in the southbound lane really agitates drivers, and again, nobody cares if citizens are hurt or killed, so agitated drivers just make their own lane.

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DirectorBeneficial48 t1_ivro1bm wrote

Yea it's a rough intersection. I feel like what they've done (long lights so people can cross easier; a small cutout on the south side where people can sort of stand safely, even though it isn't an official median) is a decent start to improving it, but there's still plenty of ways it could be better for pedestrians and bikers.

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jerseycityfrankie t1_ivte5uz wrote

you have to wonder how many people need to be killed before this do-nothing turd Boggiano is spurred into action. What does he think his job is?

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ReadenReply t1_ivsvz97 wrote

This wont get any better with apartment towers now being build on the south side of 139 next to the Arches which folks want to redevelop into public space attracting more pedestrians to the area.

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JeromePowellAdmirer t1_ivtrbwm wrote

This is not pedestrians fault lmao. It is on the city and state to provide a safe environment to walk and bike.

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reallyambiguous t1_iwcskvo wrote

Have there been any reason we can't have some kind of pedestrian overpass? There's probably trucks or something that would make the height requirements too high and not handicap accessible but I feel like I'd have a huge quality of life improvement by having one.

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