Trails & Greenways 1 Elise Bremer-Nei NJDOT Mike Dannemiller NV5 Cyndi Steiner NJBWC Brandee Chapman NJDEP
Trails & Greenways 2 Elise Bremer-Nei NJDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Advocate and Safe Routes to School Coordinator
Why are Walking and Bicycling Important? 3
4 NJ s Walkers & Bikers
5 NJ s Walkers & Bikers
How does NJ get to work? 6
7 https://peopleforbikes.org/blog/a-new-north-star-in-bikewaydesign-build-it-for-isabella/
Who ME? 8 Build it for Isabella 12 year old girl if her Mom is comfortable with her riding, then all is well
NJDOT LOCAL BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Almost 20 years Over 80 plans 9
LTA PROJECTS ACROSS THE STATE 10
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
GOAL OF LTA Pedestrian & Bicycle PLAN 12
LTA SUCCESS STORIES CITY OF HOBOKEN BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN 13
LTA SUCCESS STORIES OCEAN CITY RAIL TRAIL & BICYCLE BOULEVARD PROJECT 14
LTA SUCCESS STORIES BIKEIRONBOUND Before Proposed Implemented 15
16 How do we get more people comfortable walking and biking? https://www.mairoon.com/?p=2352
Trails & Greenways 17 Mike Dannemiller Principal Engineer NV5, Inc. (formerly called The RBA Group)
10.22.2015 STORY MAP
19 Overview Map
20 OVERALL ALIGNMENT
21 NORTHERN SECTION (Columbia to Ground Zero)
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: www.getoutsidenj.com
23 Morris Canal Greenway at Waterloo Village
24 SOUTHERN SECTION (Ground Zero to Trenton)
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, 2001. 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
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: www.rutgers.edu
27
28
29 The Circuit NJ Side http://www.circuittrails.org/find-trails
30 Circuit in Camden County
31 Cross Camden County Trail
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 Leave the car behind
34 Find hidden treasures
Finalizing the Route
MORRIS CANAL GREENWAY CORRIDOR STUDY SUMMARY
Can we create a greenway along the historic Morris Canal corridor? Yes we can June 29, 2018 37
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, 2018 38
Destinations June 29, 2018 39
Regional Trails porating NJTPA s review d to replace the version June 29, 2018 40
Preferred Greenway Alignment Eastern Section (6 of 6) June 29, 2018 41
Phased Alternatives The Greenway will improve over time June 29, 2018 42
Next Steps Getting the greenway completed June 29, 2018 43
See you on The Greenway June 29, 2018 44
Trails & Greenways Cyndi Steiner Executive Director New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition 45
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
East Coast Greenway by the numbers: East Coast Greenway Alliance Connecting people to places, Maine to Florida greenway.org
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
ECG IN NEW JERSEY East Coast Greenway Alliance Connecting people to places, Maine to Florida greenway.org
50
51
52 Essex Hudson snap shots
www.northernvalleygreenway.org
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.
Context & Considerations
Context & Considerations Roadway Crossings Blanch Ave., Norwood Madison Ave., Union Ave., Cresskill Tenafly Station Area Range in Complexity
Context & Considerations
Trails & Greenways 58 Brandee Chapman NJDEP State Trails Coordinator, Recreational Trails Program
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?
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.
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
62
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.
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) What is TAP? Established in 2012 under MAP-21 and continues under FAST $15 million programmed in FY 2016 50% 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
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
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)
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)
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
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
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?
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.
72
Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Who can Sponsor a Project?
Recreational Trails Program (RTP)
Recreational Trails Program (RTP) What Can the Funding be Used for?
Smithville County Park, Burlington County
Estell Manor County Park, Atlantic County
Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Trail length Trail linkage Project partnerships Multi-use trails Barrier-free access Other criteria Project Evaluating Factors
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.
93
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.
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
Handouts Project Development Guidance Trail Building Resource List USDOT Pedestrian and Bicycle Funding Opportunities Chart (by project type) How to Get Involved!
New Jersey Trails Program www.trails.nj.gov New Jersey Trails Plan New Jersey Trails Council Members Sign up to the NJ Trails Program email list to be notified about trail-related webinars, grant opportunities, etc. by emailing trails@dep.nj.gov
Trails & Greenways 98 Elise Bremer-Nei NJDOT Mike Dannemiller NV5 Cyndi Steiner NJBWC Brandee Chapman NJDEP