The City of Hoboken, working with Hudson County, has unveiled two alternative street design proposals for Willow Avenue between 11th and 16th Streets, which are part of the Willow Avenue Vision Zero Safety Improvement Project aimed at reducing crashes and serious injuries. Residents can review both options and submit public comments by August 5, 2025, via hobokenwillowave.com. Construction is set to begin in 2027 once a final design is selected.
- Two design layouts are available for the stretch between 11th and 16th Streets on Willow Avenue.
- One plan includes protected bike lanes on both sides of the street for one-way bicycle travel; the other consolidates bike lanes into a two-way protected bikeway on the east side.
- Safety enhancements in both options include ADA-accessible curb ramps, school-zone traffic calming features, high-visibility crosswalks, and pedestrian refuge islands.
- Public feedback is open through August 5, 2025, at hobokenwillowave.com.
Project Background and Planning History
The proposed changes stem from data identifying this corridor in both Hoboken’s High Crash Network and Hudson County’s Bicyclist High Injury Network. Previous improvements were made at Willow Avenue and 11th Street in 2021, and in 2023, $1.4 million was awarded for expanded safety upgrades. The project is guided by both the Hoboken Street Design Guide and the Hudson County Vision Zero Safety Action Plan.
Design Differences: One-Way vs. Two-Way Bikeways
The primary contrast between the two alternatives lies in bicycle lane configuration:
- Option 1 provides one-way protected bike lanes on each side of Willow Avenue.
- Option 2 installs a two-way protected bikeway on the east side, directing all bike traffic to one side of the street.
Shared Safety Enhancements in Both Options
Each proposal includes the following features:
- Protected bikeways
- ADA-compliant curb ramps
- High-visibility crosswalks
- Pedestrian refuge islands
- Raised pedestrian crossings
- Curb extensions and delineators
- Back-in angle parking
- Improved signal timing and lighting
- Leading pedestrian intervals (LPI)
- Traffic-calming chicanes and designated drop-off zones in front of Wallace Elementary
- Reduced travel lanes
Supporting Data for Design Elements
The safety measures being proposed are supported by national research and local data:
- High-visibility crosswalks can lower injury risk by up to 40%.
- Protected bike lanes have shown to reduce crashes by up to 49% and can boost bike ridership by as much as 171%.
- Pedestrian refuge islands may cut pedestrian crashes by 56%.
- Lighting improvements can reduce nighttime intersection crashes by 42%.
- Marked crosswalks and medians contribute to a 46% reduction in pedestrian incidents.
- Stop and yield markings can improve pedestrian safety by up to 25%.
Public Engagement and Timeline
Two public meetings in June 2025 introduced the initial proposals. Based on input received, the city refined the alternatives now available for public review. Additional engagement opportunities are planned for fall 2025, with final design decisions to follow.
Community members are encouraged to visit hobokenwillowave.com by August 5 to explore the designs and submit feedback.
