The approval was the culmination of a nearly two year process.
PRINCETON -- A popular crossing for pedestrians and cyclists on Washington Road in Princeton will get a crosswalk and pedestrian-activated beacons, Mercer County announced Thursday.
The Delaware and Raritan Canal crossing over the county road-- where traffic is known to travel at high speeds -- is one of the most heavily used crossings in Mercer County, officials said.
"The county has been steadfast in pushing for this necessary safety upgrade, and I'm pleased that we have the green light to move forward," Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes said in announcing the approval.
"My expectation is that the flashers and crosswalks will be completed by the end of this year," Hughes said.
A flashing light will hang over the roadway. Another will be mounted on a post.
In October of 2014, a West Windsor man and his 8-year-old son were struck by a car as they were walking their bikes across the road.
Pedestrian accident in Princeton
Just over a week after the incident, Princeton officials -- followed soon after by officials in West Windsor Township -- adopted resolutions for pedestrian safety improvements.
The approval was the culmination of a nearly two year process, due to the proximity of the proposed crosswalk to the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Towpath.
Potential visual impacts on the nearby elm garden meant the crosswalk and beacon needed approval from the State Historic Preservation Office.
Approvals and input from the Princeton Historic Preservation Office, Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission and Princeton University were also required.
A resolution to authorize the project will now go before the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Greg Wright may be reached at gwright@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregTheWright. Find NJ.com on Facebook.