On July 23rd, the Gloucester County Planning Department held a public information meeting for the “Multi-Purpose Trail Extension” that included the proposed alignment of new Circuit Trails that will connect the Monroe Township Bike Path, the Dino Trail, and the Glassboro-Elk Trail. The regional significance of this project would also connect to nearby parks, the Washington Township Trail and into Salem County. The presentation provided by the County can be accessed here for details on the proposed alignment, access points, and next steps in the planning process for this project.
We encourage you to take action and send your comments to the Gloucester County Planning Department requesting that the proposed alignment include a shared-use path that is separated from traffic so that it meets the standard Circuit Trails design specifications. You’re comments can be submitted through the County’s Multi-Purpose Trail Extension Public Information Center Feedback Survey and you may ask questions or provide comments to Karen Jost with the County at kjost@co.gloucester.nj.us. For more details about the Circuit Trails Coalition, Bicycle Coalition, and Bike Gloucester County’s recommendations, read more below:
For many advocates for the Circuit Trails in Gloucester County, the Multi-Purpose Trail Extension has been identified as a critical gap that will connect two highly utilized Circuit Trails that are currently separated by around 5 miles of on road options for cyclists who are interested in connecting between the Monroe Township Bike Path and the Elephant Swamp Trail in Elk Township (see below).
The In Progress segments highlighted in orange to further the connection between the Monroe Township Bike Path to the Glassboro-Elk Trail.
While the Circuit Trails Coalition, the Bicycle Coalition and Bike Gloucester County are eager for this expansion of Gloucester County’s multi-use trail system, there has serious concerns about the design of the on-road portions of the proposed alignment. In particular, the painted bike lanes proposed on Buck Road and Whig Lane (see below) do not meet Circuit Trails design standards and differ significantly from the proposed concept that has been programmed into the New Jersey Transportation Improvement Program which prioritizes funding to advance the project further into its development stages.
The high-speed roads on which these bike lanes are proposed have a Level of Traffic Stress of 4, defined as high traffic stress, multi-lane, fast moving traffic, and therefore would require grade-separated or protected bike lanes to be eligible for Circuit Trails designation and funding. The design of several on-road portions fail to include pedestrian facilities and fail to meet AASHTO guidelines for shared-use paths, which creates a discrepancy between the description of the project as it is programmed in the New Jersey Transportation Improvement Program and its design as previously proposed. Lastly, the proposed facility is inconsistent with New Jersey guidance for selecting bicycle facilities, which calls for buffered or separated bikes lanes or a shared-use path along a 45 mile-per-hour road, irrespective of volume.
DVRPC’s Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) Map showing Whig Lane and Buck Road identified as LTS 4, the highest level of stress for bicyclists.
Where it is unfeasible to create a separated side path, we ask that the County select lower-stress streets like Stanger Ave and use traffic calming to create the safest possible connection. Throughout the corridor, we urge the County to consider the experiences and safety of both pedestrians and cyclists and to incorporate pedestrian facilities into all of its designs.
Proposed shared use path on Buck Road north of 5th (rendering: John Boyle)
Proposed shared use path for the Whig Lane Route 55 overpass (rendering: John Boyle)
Again, we encourage you to take action and send your comments to the Gloucester County Planning Department requesting that the proposed alignment include a shared-use path that is separated from traffic so that it meets the standard Circuit Trails design specifications. You’re comments can be submitted through the County’s Multi-Purpose Trail Extension Public Information Center Feedback Survey and you may ask questions or provide comments to Karen Jost with the County at kjost@co.gloucester.nj.us.
Please consider submitting the following recommended comments to the project team:
- The proposed alignment should include a shared-use path that is separated from traffic so that it meets the standard Circuit Trails design specifications.
- The painted bike lanes proposed on Buck Road and Whig Lane do not meet Circuit Trails design standards and differ significantly from the proposed concept that has been programmed into the New Jersey Transportation Improvement Program.
- The high-speed roads on which these bike lanes are proposed have a Level of Traffic Stress of 4, defined as high traffic stress, multi-lane, fast moving traffic, and therefore would require grade-separated or protected bike lanes to be eligible for Circuit Trails designation and funding.
- The design of several on-road portions fail to include pedestrian facilities and fail to meet AASHTO guidelines for shared-use paths, which creates a discrepancy between the description of the project as programmed in the New Jersey Transportation Improvement Program and the designs as currently proposed.
- The proposed facility is inconsistent with New Jersey guidance for selecting bicycle facilities, which calls for buffered or separated bikes lanes or a shared-use path along a 45 mile-per-hour road, irrespective of volume.
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is a founding member of the Circuit Trails Coalition and leads the movement to make every bicycle ride safe, to empower youth and adults to ride, and to foster a ridership that reflects the diversity of the region. Join or renew to continue that advocacy and education work throughout the region. More info here.