With a ceremonial snip of the ribbon, Princeton officials celebrated the completion of the second phase of the Witherspoon Street improvement project April 25.
Mayor Mark Freda and Princeton Council members David Cohen, Leighton Newlin and Michelle Pirone Lambros officially re-opened a six-block section of Witherspoon Street, between Green Street and Leigh Avenue.
The improvements include a narrower roadway, curb extensions or bump-outs at the intersections with the side streets, raised crosswalks and a new coat of asphalt. Street trees and new street lights have been installed.
Also, there are wider concrete sidewalks framed by decorative pavers. The pavers are a nod to the pavers in the first phase of the Witherspoon Street improvement project, between Nassau Street and Wiggins Street/Paul Robeson Place.
In the first phase, Witherspoon Street between Nassau Street and Spring Street was reconfigured to become a one-way street traveling north. At Hulfish Street, it reverts to a two-way street that continues north to Valley Road.
The third and final phase of the Witherspoon Street improvement project, between Leigh Avenue and Valley Road, is under way. It is expected to be completed in November.
Witherspoon Street will be narrowed from 33 feet to 30 feet. There will be raised crosswalks and bump-outs at the intersection of Witherspoon Street with Henry Avenue and Guyot Avenue.
A raised crosswalk is planned for the Witherspoon Hall municipal building, plus a bump-out at the south driveway to the Community Park School. There will be a realigned and longer drop-off area at the Community Park School.
The driveway to the Princeton Fire Department firehouse also will be reconstructed.
Wider concrete sidewalks will be installed to allow elementary school students to ride their bicycles on them. The width will vary from five feet to eight feet at points along Witherspoon Street.
Five trees will be removed, but 16 new trees will be planted to replace them. New street lights and a fresh coat of asphalt will be installed.