Trails & Greenways. Elise Bremer-Nei NJDOT Mike Dannemiller NV5 Cyndi Steiner NJBWC Brandee Chapman NJDEP

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1 Trails & Greenways 1 Elise Bremer-Nei NJDOT Mike Dannemiller NV5 Cyndi Steiner NJBWC Brandee Chapman NJDEP

2 Trails & Greenways 2 Elise Bremer-Nei NJDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Advocate and Safe Routes to School Coordinator

3 Why are Walking and Bicycling Important? 3

4 4 NJ s Walkers & Bikers

5 5 NJ s Walkers & Bikers

6 How does NJ get to work? 6

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8 Who ME? 8 Build it for Isabella 12 year old girl if her Mom is comfortable with her riding, then all is well

9 NJDOT LOCAL BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Almost 20 years Over 80 plans 9

10 LTA PROJECTS ACROSS THE STATE 10

11 LOCAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (LTA)..WHAT IS IT? Plan capital projects that will lead to enhancements for walking, bicycling and all modes of transportation Facilitate planning activities that address the safety and access needs of pedestrians and bicyclists Department has retained the services of several consultants with expertise in local bicycle and pedestrian planning. Consultant services provided at no cost to qualifying counties and municipalities 11

12 GOAL OF LTA Pedestrian & Bicycle PLAN 12

13 LTA SUCCESS STORIES CITY OF HOBOKEN BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN 13

14 LTA SUCCESS STORIES OCEAN CITY RAIL TRAIL & BICYCLE BOULEVARD PROJECT 14

15 LTA SUCCESS STORIES BIKEIRONBOUND Before Proposed Implemented 15

16 16 How do we get more people comfortable walking and biking?

17 Trails & Greenways 17 Mike Dannemiller Principal Engineer NV5, Inc. (formerly called The RBA Group)

18 STORY MAP

19 19 Overview Map

20 20 OVERALL ALIGNMENT

21 21 NORTHERN SECTION (Columbia to Ground Zero)

22 Waterloo Village 22 Waterloo is a restored living history village on the banks of the Musconetcong River. Tour Victorian homes, a blacksmith shop, grist and saw mill, the recreated Lenape Indian Village and much more. Enjoy music and ethnic festivals, historic programs, antiques and craft shows. Photo Credits:

23 23 Morris Canal Greenway at Waterloo Village

24 24 SOUTHERN SECTION (Ground Zero to Trenton)

25 Empty Sky 9/11 Memorial 25 Located in Liberty State Park in Jersey City, "Empty Sky" is the official State of New Jersey's Memorial that honors the memory of the 749 people that lived in or had ties to New Jersey that lost their lives at the World Trade Center on September 11, The memorial, designed by Jessica Jamroz and Frederic Schwartz, was dedicated on September 11, 2011, the 10-year anniversary. The brushed stainless steel twin walls are 210 feet long, the width of each side of the World Trade Center Towers. They rise 30 feet, standing parallel to each other with a 12-foot wide paved path of bluestone between them. Like the World Trade Center, the stainless steel reflects the constantly changing light of day. Photo Credits: The RBA Group

26 Somerset County 9/11 Memorial 26 The Somerset County 9/11 Memorial is located on the Courthouse Green and has a clock tower with Time to Remember inscribed on it. Names of the Somerset Country residents who died is inscribed on a plaque mounted on a piece of steel recovered from the World Trade Center. The steel beam will be mounted within the base of the clock tower. Photo Credits:

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29 29 The Circuit NJ Side

30 30 Circuit in Camden County

31 31 Cross Camden County Trail

32 Why was this route selected? While Camden County and its partners are committed to building out the entire proposed trail network someday, this trail is being routed to minimize design and construction constraints and build early momentum for a county-wide network. Create High Credit: jessicarlin.wordpress.com Demand Economic Development Credit: haddonhts.com Open Space Right-of-Way Conrail Line Bridges Existing Trails Floodplains 4

33 33 Leave the car behind

34 34 Find hidden treasures

35 Finalizing the Route

36 MORRIS CANAL GREENWAY CORRIDOR STUDY SUMMARY

37 Can we create a greenway along the historic Morris Canal corridor? Yes we can June 29,

38 Vision TO PRESERVE AND ENHANCE the historic Morris Canal route, TO PRESERVE THE CANAL s scenic, recreational, and historic resources, TO TELL THE STORY OF LIFE along the canal, TO HIGHLIGHT ITS DISTINCTIVE mountain climbing characteristics and inclined planes, TO PROVIDE CONVENIENT urban, suburban, and rural access to a trail. source: Morris Canal Working Group June 29,

39 Destinations June 29,

40 Regional Trails porating NJTPA s review d to replace the version June 29,

41 Preferred Greenway Alignment Eastern Section (6 of 6) June 29,

42 Phased Alternatives The Greenway will improve over time June 29,

43 Next Steps Getting the greenway completed June 29,

44 See you on The Greenway June 29,

45 Trails & Greenways Cyndi Steiner Executive Director New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition 45

46 Discover the East Coast Greenway Discover the ECG/Essex-Hudson Greenway Connector Routing Plan June 21, 2017 East Coast Greenway REI Soho, NYC, June 6, 2017 East Coast Greenway Alliance Connecting people to places, Maine to Florida greenway.org

47 East Coast Greenway by the numbers: East Coast Greenway Alliance Connecting people to places, Maine to Florida greenway.org

48 ECG IN NEW JERSEY 93 miles between PA & NY Connects Trenton, Princeton, New Brunswick, Newark, and Jersey City plus rural and suburban communities. Over 50% off road one of the most built-out states in the system. 35-mile D&R Canal State Park from Trenton to New Brunswick. The Delaware River Heritage Trail is an alternate route from Trenton to Camden. Major gap Newark to Jersey City East Coast Greenway Alliance Connecting people to places, Maine to Florida greenway.org

49 ECG IN NEW JERSEY East Coast Greenway Alliance Connecting people to places, Maine to Florida greenway.org

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52 52 Essex Hudson snap shots

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54 Northern Valley Greenway Overview ± 8 miles long Right-of-way is typically 60 wide Traverses 6 boroughs Opportunity to connect to: Proposed Northern Branch Corridor Light Rail (NJ TRANSIT) Joseph B. Clarke Trail in Orangetown, NY Range of contexts, conditions, at-grade crossings, etc.

55 Context & Considerations

56 Context & Considerations Roadway Crossings Blanch Ave., Norwood Madison Ave., Union Ave., Cresskill Tenafly Station Area Range in Complexity

57 Context & Considerations

58 Trails & Greenways 58 Brandee Chapman NJDEP State Trails Coordinator, Recreational Trails Program

59 New Jersey Trails Program 59 New Jersey Trails Program Origins of the State Trails Program New Jersey Trails Council New Jersey Trails Plan Funding for Trails DOT Transportation Alternatives Program DEP Recreational Trails Program Grassroots Efforts How can Environmental Commissions and local citizens get involved in these efforts?

60 New Jersey Trails Program The New Jersey Trails System Act (1974) - to institute a Statewide system of recreation and scenic trails. New Jersey Trails Council (1975) - to study and devise a plan for a coordinated system of trails ( New Jersey Trails Plan ) - to serve as an advisory board to DEP and DOT to implement the Plan.

61 New Jersey Trails Program New Jersey Trails Council Represents a variety of trail uses, including: Hiking trails Bicycling trails Equestrian trails Motorized trails Water trails Urban trails ADA accessible trails

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63 New Jersey Trails Program New Jersey Trails Plan First plan was developed in 1982 Updated in 1996 and again in 2009 Outlines goals and strategic actions to help guide and coordinate the efforts of all those who plan, build, operate and maintain New Jersey s trails. Reaffirms importance of providing trails for all and emphasize the value of trails in supporting a wide range of benefits.

64 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) What is TAP? Established in 2012 under MAP-21 and continues under FAST $15 million programmed in FY % of NJ s TAP funds are sub-allocated based on population through NJ s Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) Requires a competitive project selection process Hudson River Waterfront Walkway

65 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) What are TAP projects? Community-based Non-traditional Transportation projects (land & water) Expand travel choice Strengthen local economy Improve quality of life Protect the environment $150,000 1 million per project

66 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Who is eligible to apply? Local Governments School districts or schools Non profits are now eligible under FAST Act Regional Transportation Authorities Transit Agencies Natural resource or public land agencies Tribal Governments Any other local or regional governmental entity with responsibility for oversight of transportation (other than an MPO or State Agency)

67 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) 7 Eligible Categories : 1. Provision of facilities for bikes and pedestrians 2. Landscaping and other scenic beautification 3. Historic preservation 4. Rehabilitation of historic transportation buildings, structures and facilities (including historic RR facilities and canals)

68 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) 7 Eligible Categories (continued): 5. Preservation of abandoned RR corridors (including conversion to pedestrian and bike trails transportation element) 6. Environmental mitigation to address water pollution due to highway runoff 7. Mitigation to reduce vehicle caused wildlife mortality while maintaining habitat connectivity

69 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Selection Criteria: Local maintenance commitment Municipal/County Resolutions of Support Economic and/or tourism benefits Promotes the use of non-motorized (active) transportation Benefits quality of life, the community or the environment

70 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Selection Criteria (continued): Part of a larger transportation, land use or economic development plan. Enhances, preserves or protects historical resources. Urgency. Is it possible the resource could be lost?

71 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) What is the Recreational Trails Program? The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a grant program that returns federal gas tax proceeds to states to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses.

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73 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Who can Sponsor a Project?

74 Recreational Trails Program (RTP)

75 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) What Can the Funding be Used for?

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90 Estell Manor County Park, Atlantic County

91 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Trail length Trail linkage Project partnerships Multi-use trails Barrier-free access Other criteria Project Evaluating Factors

92 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) What Has Been Accomplished? Since the inception of the program in 1993 New Jersey has provided over $18 million dollars in financial assistance to more than 900 trail construction and improvement projects.

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94 Getting Involved 94 - Make sure trails and greenways are included in your Township s master plan. - Improve your Township s development regulations to protect areas designated for future greenways and trails. - Help your Township qualify for Green Acres funding for trail and greenway projects by establishing an open space tax.

95 Grassroots Efforts 95 - Lead trail/greenway walks - Talk to officials at the local, county and state levels including township committees/councils and your County freeholders - Attend town meetings and get information out there about any local greenway development or trail building initiatives - Write letters to the editor at your local paper

96 Handouts Project Development Guidance Trail Building Resource List USDOT Pedestrian and Bicycle Funding Opportunities Chart (by project type) How to Get Involved!

97 New Jersey Trails Program New Jersey Trails Plan New Jersey Trails Council Members Sign up to the NJ Trails Program list to be notified about trail-related webinars, grant opportunities, etc. by ing

98 Trails & Greenways 98 Elise Bremer-Nei NJDOT Mike Dannemiller NV5 Cyndi Steiner NJBWC Brandee Chapman NJDEP