Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Important Public Meetings In South Jersey Next Week

Beneath all the hubbub of Bike Month events are two important public meetings for major infrastructure projects in South Jersey that if constructed with complete streets in mind, could plug some massive holes in New Jersey's nascent multi-use trail network.

There will be public meeting regarding both the critical Manahawkin Bay Bridge (LBI Causeway) and the Glassboro Camden Line next week.  Later in the month the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission will be presenting the final draft for the Camden County Bicycling & Multi-Use Trails Master Plan. Details are available after the jump.

Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridge Project (LBI Causeway)
Thursday, May 23, 2013, 4 – 7 PM
Stafford Township Municipal Building, 260 East Bay Avenue, Manahawkin, New Jersey

As we reported here and here NJDOT is about to begin construction on a twinning of the spans for the Causeway. The project currently calls for 6 foot shoulders plus a 6 foot protected sidewalk on the original span (which will become the westbound span after reconstruction). Active Transportation advocates are proposing that the proposed sidewalk be widened into a 12 foot multi-use path. This will provide a more comfortable width for pedestrians and allow cyclists to ride physically separated from the traffic. Since the original span will not be rehabilitated until the new span is complete there is a 3 year window for engineers to modify the plans.

Details

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The Glassboro‐Camden Line Public Informational Meeting
Monday, May 20, 2013 6 - 8 PM
Woodbury Jr/Sr High School 
25 North Broad Street
Woodbury, NJ 08096

Topics to be discussed:
  • Overview of project background and current step in process
  • Explanation of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process
  • Summary of Public comments
  • Insight to the project purpose and need, alternatives, and 
  • environmental/social impacts to be studied

The rail line corridor along formerly known as the Bridgeton Secondary is listed as part of the Circuit trails network - However the study for the light rail line was conducted before the Circuit Coalition began their trail work and thus an option for a trail to be built adjacent to the rail line was not included in the feasibility study. The public weighing in on their desire to include a trail in the project is the only way that it will be considered.

Glassboro‐Camden Line project website at www.glassborocamdenline.com.

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Camden County Bicycling & Multi-Use Trails Master Plan
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 6 - 8 P.M.
Camden County Boathouse
7050 North Park Drive
Pennsauken, NJ 08109


The Camden County Bicycling & Multi-Use Trails Master Plan will guide the implementation of multi-use trails and on-road bicycle facilities in Camden County.

A light dinner will be served. To RSVP, please visit: http://camdencountytrails.eventbrite.com/, or call 215‐238‐2871

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