Major Street Changes Underway Before Hoboken Students Return To School: City

HOBOKEN, NJ — Just in time for the start of school on Tuesday, the city of Hoboken announced the completion of school zone improvements on Friday, particularly near intersections.

The improvements include high visibility crosswalks, refreshed striping, and other "Vision Zero" improvements as part of a plan to eliminate traffic deaths by 2030.

The city arborist and Public Works crews are also removing foliage that obstructs signage, officials said.

The measures are meant to improve visibility at pedestrian crossings near school arrival and dismissal areas.

"Every Hoboken student deserves a safe trip to and from school," said Mayor Emily Jabbour. "Over the summer we have worked with our partners at Hudson County to make school zones safer, more visible, and easier for everyone to navigate.

"As the new school year begins, I urge everyone to slow down, stay alert, follow posted signage and crossing guard instruction, and give our youngest community members the extra time and space they need to get to and from school safely.”

“Keeping our children safe is job number one and is a shared responsibility,” said Hudson County Executive Craig Guy. “Clear, visible crosswalks are an important part of creating safer streets."

The city has recently "daylit" 43 intersections near schools to improve driver and pedestrian visibility, refreshed pavement markings, replaced faded signage to make school pick-up and drop-off areas more visible, constructed a curb extension at Seventh and Madison Streets.

The city has also installed additional bicycle parking around schools.

Both the city and Hudson County recently replaced worn away crosswalks at 14 intersections in school zones with new, high-visibility markings including the following locations:

Proposal Would Keep Cars In Place

The administration is also working with the Hoboken City Council to update local laws regarding temporary street closures for safe school drop-off and dismissal, the city said.

The updated legislation would prohibit drivers from moving their vehicles parked on the temporarily closed street until the road is reopened.

The ordinance is scheduled for Council review and final vote at the next meeting, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. at Hoboken City Hall.