Residents and student activists press West Windsor for sidewalks; council’s capital bond includes bike‑ped funding

Student organizers with the Sunrise Movement and local residents told the West Windsor Township Council on Aug. 11 they want sidewalks on Millstone Road to improve safety for children, older residents and people walking to transit. Sagirta Arunigiri, who identified herself as a Sunrise Movement member, said volunteers canvassed Millstone Road and heard that parents and older residents are reluctant to let children walk or bike there. "It's simply not safe for him to go on that road," Arunigiri said of a four‑year‑old neighbor who wants to ride a bike. She urged the council to support outreach to Plainsboro (which borders Millstone Road) and to meet residents at a planned Aug. 23 gathering. The council responded that sidewalk extensions are a priority and noted coordination with Plainsboro is necessary so improvements connect across municipal boundaries. During the meeting the council also approved a bond ordinance that, according to the capital summary discussed by council, includes $945,000 for bike‑lane extension and sidewalk programs, including Cranberry Road sidewalk improvements, crosswalk improvements and other pedestrian work. That bond appropriation is part of larger capital ordinances introduced and adopted at the Aug. 11 meeting; one bond ordinance showed a $11,579,982 appropriation with $10,561,000 in authorized bond issuance to finance various capital improvements, including sidewalk and bicycle projects. Councilmembers said project prioritization must balance resident impact, funding availability and coordination with the county or neighboring municipalities when sidewalks cross jurisdictional lines. Councilmembers invited the Sunrise volunteers to provide written contacts for Millstone Road property owners and asked for formal invitations to the Aug. 23 meeting so staff and council representatives can attend and answer residents’ questions about property impacts and design details. Council members also noted the town’s bike and pedestrian alliance has been engaged on related projects and that the capital program folded many sidewalk and bike items into a single funding category for 2025. Next steps identified at the meeting included continued outreach to Plainsboro officials to seek funding and technical coordination, and follow‑up meetings between volunteers, council members and township engineers to scope potential sidewalk segments.