SLOW THE CURVE!

East Trenton Collaborative (ETC), in partnership with Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) and Trenton Public Works, has secured grant funding to improve safety on Mulberry Street and North Clinton Avenue and SLOW THE CURVE!

 

What will this project do?

The project will slow car and truck speeds and improve safety on Mulberry Street and North Clinton Avenue.

  • Safer streets and bike lanes support local businesses by providing safer, more comfortable walking and biking routes for customers.

  • This project will make it easier for people to walk and bike to the D&R Canal Trail, George Page Park, and the Library Community Center.

  • Buffered bike lanes with flexible delineators and parking stops to separate bikes from vehicles and slow through-traffic by clearly defining the vehicle lanes.

  • Reflective signage and thermoplastic rumble strips are being installed approaching the curve at St. Joes Avenue to improve visibility and awareness and encourage drivers to slow through the curve. 

  • Upgraded roadway markings to clearly define travel lanes and bike space.

  • Green paint to highlight areas where drivers and bicyclists may cross paths.

Why is this project needed?

  • This project addresses neighborhood concerns. Improving safety on Mulberry Street, especially the sharp curve near St. Joes Avenue, has been a longstanding neighborhood priority. This need was documented in a traffic safety audit conducted by ETC and its resident-led Traffic Safety Community Organizing Committee. 

  • This project also advances recommendations from Our Streets: A Trenton Bike Plan for All (i.e. the Mulberry and Clinton street bike lanes).

  • Crash history highlights the need for safety improvements; 49 crashes occurred on this corridor from 2018 to 2022. Additional neighborhood-identified issues this project addresses include:

How has the East Trenton Neighborhood been engaged throughout this project?

ETC has conducted extensive outreach:

  • Visited all 20 homes and 6 businesses on the corridor 

  • Distributed bilingual flyers (English and Spanish)

  • Presented to ETC’s Traffic Safety Community Organizing Committee (TSCOC)

  • Held a Community Engagement event at the corner of St. Joes Avenue and Mulberry Street on October 18th with 45+ attendees

What has been the community’s response to this project idea?

Overall, community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. People want this to happen! The community is concerned about safety on the road, and Parking concerns were minimal

  • Quotes from our community survey:

    • “Please get it all done”

    • "As a person who often cycles to different places, it's nice to know there will be safe places to ride."

    • "[This project will] make drivers more aware of their surroundings."

    • "[This project] will force people who drive to slow down making it safer for people to walk. I hope to see more of this."

    • "I believe [the rumble strips and SLOW markings] will help people stay in their lane."

    • “Arregular la calle de Mulberry“ (Fix up Mulberry Street)

    • "Safe routes make everyone safer!"

  • FAQ Sheet

Will this affect our local businesses?

  • Safer streets and bike lanes support local businesses by providing safer, more comfortable walking and biking routes for customers.

  • Most businesses along the corridor have their own parking lots, which will not be affected, and nearby parking is available for those who need it.

  • Since about 28% of East Trenton residents do not have access to a car, creating safer ways for them to reach these businesses on foot or by bike is essential and can lead to increased spending at those businesses.

Next Steps and Timeline

We are aiming for installation in Summer 2026.

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