Harvey Cedars Mayor and Residents Fight for "3 iN HC"

2013 seems to be the year that established Ocean and Monmouth Counties at the forefront of the New Jersey's complete streets movement. It has dominated the news on this blog with Routes 72, 35 and 71 proving to be a litmus test of NJ DOT's complete streets policy.

And now many residents in Harvey Cedars want to do the same for Long Beach Boulevard, Last year the borough adopted their own complete streets policy and are backing their new policy with a campaign dubbed 3 in HC which seeks to reduce the number of lanes on the boulevard from 4 lanes to 3.

Unfortunately the tiny borough has faced opposition from the County which maintains Long Beach Boulevard and lacks a complete streets policy. But its the neighboring communities - Barnegat Light and Long Beach Township that have voiced the loudest opposition. You may remember that in 2010 Mayor Mancini of Long Beach Township sought to repeal the stop for pedestrians law saying that such a law wouldn't work on a 5 lane road.

Once again the Asbury Park Press is documenting the complete streets movement on video with highlights from the Ocean County Freeholders meeting, where supporters traveled 30 miles to get pooh poohed by the Freeholders and, you guessed it, Mayor Mancini. Who was proud to tout a petition that opposes reducing lanes on Long Beach Blvd. The petition states among other unfounded arguments that "Any perceived danger to pedestrian and bicyclists is hypothetical.".

Kudos to Harvey Cedars Mayor Oldham and his supporters for their 3 in HC campaign. Long Beach Township may be neighbors with Harvey Cedars but they are at opposite ends of the ideological spectrum when it comes to livable communities. Its clear that complete streets advocates have lots of work to do to win the hearts and minds of Long Beach Island residents and businesses. A resort with poor pedestrian facilities and no public transportation.



View Larger Map

Heading To The Shore? Then Stop By The Route 72 Causeway Public Meeting Tonight In Manahawkin

Here is a great opportunity to advance the cause for complete streets. If you live in Southern Ocean County or if you are getting a head start on the Memorial Day weekend then stop by the Stafford Township Municipal Building (map) this afternoon between 4 and 7PM to review and comment on the expansion and rehabilitation of the Route 72 Causeway to Long Beach Island.

NJ DOT will begin construction of 3 new bridges over Manahawkin Bay later this year. Once that bridge is complete in 2016 the existing causeway will be rehabilitated and it is planned to include the installation of a protected 6 foot wide walkway. When the project is completed in 2019 DOT will stripe each roadway with 5-6 foot shoulders and opening of the walkway on the westbound causeway.

Complete Streets advocates are campaigning for a better way for bicyclists and pedestrians to cross the bay - Replacing the proposed 6 foot sidewalk with a 10-12 foot wide shared use path.

Complete Street Success - Route 52 Causeway in Ocean City

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.