Lawrence Hopewell Trail ENews – Task Force Meeting Update

At the October 11 Lawrence Hopewell Trail Task Force meeting, Trail partners outlined the next steps that will bring the Trail closer to completion in 2006. Highlights include:

• Extension of Lawrenceville Village Park section to Keefe Road—spring 2006
• Engineering work and construction of section through Mercer County Park Northwest, from Keefe Road to Blackwell Road, and through Rosedale Park from Blackwell Road to the picnic grove—fall 2006

David Sandahl, Deputy Mayor of Hopewell Township, reported on work on possible routes for the northern end of the Trail. Wargo Road is being studied for suitability as a route through the Watershed Association. From there, the Trail may follow Moores Mill-Mt. Rose Road to the Hillman property. Identifying a safe place to cross Pennington-Rocky Hill Road would enable the Trail to continue along a Township-owned right of way on the east side of the road before going overland to Carter Road. A Township-owned underpass may be used to bring the Trail to the east side of Carter Road. Several routes from there to the Educational Testing Service campus are under consideration.

State Master Plan for Bicycling and Pedestrian Facilities
Sheree Davis, Coordinator of New Jersey Department of Transportation Bicycle & Pedestrian Program, presented the state’s master plan for improving bicycling and pedestrian facilities statewide to the Task Force. DOT’s goals include promoting bicycling and walking for commuting and recreation, promoting bicycling safety, and constructing 1,000 miles of new trails by 2008. The bridge over Route 1 in Lawrence Township represents the priority DOT is placing on projects that provide safe routes for bicyclists and pedestrians in heavy traffic areas.

“The Lawrence Hopewell Trail plans fit in nicely with the long-distance routes DOT is promoting,” Davis said. She explained that DOT staff members are now preparing “cue sheets” that will enable bicyclists to follow a route the length of the state, from High Point to Cape May.

New Link Between D&R Canal Tow Path and Hamilton Railroad Station
Commuters who use the Hamilton station and want to begin and end their rail commute by bicycle can now use a bike path on the American Standard property to reach the station. The path leads to a gate and ramp to the southbound platform and a connection to the northbound platform.

Directions: from the D&R Canal Tow Path, take Carnegie Road going south (away from Route 1). Carnegie Road makes a right angle turn, heads north, and becomes Bucknell Avenue for two blocks before ending at Princeton Avenue. Take Princeton Avenue east to the American Standard site. The bike path runs along a fence by the railroad tracks.