Burlington County is taking new steps to help pedestrians and bicyclists move about the county more safely.
The Burlington County Board of Commissioners announced that the County was awarded $400,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation and its new Safe Streets for All program to study and plan improvements to boost safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The County plans to analyze existing infrastructure and accident data to identify intersections or other areas that are the most dangerous for pedestrians, bicyclists and other vulnerable users. The funds will also be used to identify specific improvements and projects to pursue and prioritize, including new off-road pedestrian and bicycle trails.
Burlington County was the only jurisdiction in New Jersey to be awarded funding. Nationwide, 99 communities received a combined $63 million from the new Safe Streets for All program.
“If you drive, bike, walk, run or roll, we want everyone to easily and safely access all the destinations that make Burlington County unique and special,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “This Safe Streets for All grant will allow our County to take a more in-depth look at areas where pedestrians and cyclists are most at risk and identify actions to improve transportation and accessibility for all residents.”
Burlington County is already engaged in a regional study with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission that is focused on improving traffic safety for all users across South Jersey and the Greater Philadelphia region. County officials said its new pedestrian and bicyclist safety plan will be an extension of that regional study, called Regional Vision Zero.
The County study will look for potential improvements throughout the county.
Burlington County has already created more than 50 miles of regional and park trails. Recent additions to the County’s trail network include a new section of the Delaware River Heritage Trail that runs between Bordentown and Florence, and the first leg of the Rancocas Creek Greenway Trail that is envisioned to eventually travel the length of the entire Rancocas Creek from the Delaware River to the creek’s source in Pemberton Township.
The County also recently opened the Arney’s Mount Trail in Springfield that included both paved and crushed stone hiking and biking trails up and around Arney’s Mount, Burlington County’s highest elevation.
Burlington County has several additional trail projects in various stages of planning and design, including the extension of the Rancocas Creek Greenway Trail from Pennington Park in Delanco to Willingboro Lakes Park, off Beverly-Rancocas Road in Willingboro, and Rainbow Meadow Park, off Creek Road in Delran. That trail extension project calls for the construction of a safe pedestrian/bicycle crossing across Route 130, plus improvements to the Route 130 Bridge over the Rancocas Creek to better accommodate pedestrians and cyclists.
Last fall, the Burlington County Commissioners also authorized a study of routes for potential new accessible walking and bicycle trails through central and southern Burlington County towns like Moorestown, Mount Laurel, Maple Shade, Evesham, Tabernacle and Shamong. Those trails would become part of the County’s regional trail network and connect to local municipal open space and trails, as well as those in neighboring Camden County.
“Burlington County is proud to be a leader in New Jerey in creating trails and improving mobility and accessibility for all residents,” said Burlington County Commissioner Allison Eckel, liaison to the Department of Resource Conservation. “This funding will help us continue to plan and move forward projects that will help improve safety for all users while also meeting our objectives of expanding accessibility to all corners of our county.”
New Jersey Assemblyman Herb Conaway said Burlington County was setting an example for other New Jersey counties to follow.
“We need transportation infrastructure to be safe and accessible for all users,” said Assemblyman Conaway. “Burlington County has already created an impressive network of pedestrian and bicycle trails that allow residents to move about freely and access important parks, recreation and historic sites. This study will help the County identify new projects to improve safety and expand trails so more residents can take advantage of them.”