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DVPRC and Counties Respond to Public Comments on Line Item for Circuit on NJ TIP

In July, the Draft DVRPC Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for New Jersey (FY2016-2019) was put out for public comment.  It layed out the transportation priorities for the four New Jersey counties in the Greater Philadelphia region.  This was an opportunity for Circuit supporters to send a message to their elected officials to dedicate transportation funding for Circuit trails in Mercer, Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties.  

The Circuit Coalition put out a call to action asking supporters to contact their county officials and ask that a "line item" for the Circuit be included in the Transportation Improvement Program.

By the August 10th deadline, 137 individuals from the general public with some on behalf of five advocacy groups submitted over 200 written comments on the Draft TIP via email on 214 different issues.  61% of those comments requested  a new TIP project/line item for the Circuit.

On September 30th, the DVPRC Board approved the TIP without a line item for the Circuit.  DVPRC and each of the four counties provided a response to the Circuit line item comments.  The responses were as follows:

Agency Response by DVRPC: Thank you for your comment. DVRPC supports the development of a regional multi-use trail system. Improving bicycle and pedestrian facilities is important for those residents that use these modes to meet their daily needs, including travel to jobs and local errands. Creating an interconnected network of multi-use trails provides an alternative to motorized transportation. Improved local, non-motorized mobility promotes economic development and enhances quality of life. DVRPC included the Circuit in Connections 2040: Plan for Greater Philadelphia. This 750-mile interconnected regional multi-use trail network will provide for bicycle and pedestrian access across the region, complementing local investments in bike lanes, sidewalks, and similar infrastructure. Investments have been made in Circuit trails in all four New Jersey counties in DVRPC’s service area, and more are identified in New Jersey’s FY2016 Transportation Improvement Program. Though a Circuit-specific line item is not included in this TIP, DVRPC will continue to explore options for increasing investment in these important facilities.

Agency Response by Burlington County:

See attached letter for Burlington County's response to comments that request a new line item in the TIP for the construction of Circuit trails in the DVRPC region. Go to this link and scroll to p.27 to see Burlington County's letter

Agency Response by Camden County: 

Camden County supports the development of an inner connected regional trail system and is currently using the TIP programs like Transportation Enhancements to improve trails and bike lanes within the County. Camden County uses local, county and federal resources to support all trail development throughout the County.

Agency Response by Gloucester County:

Thank you for your support. The County of Gloucester will continue to be an advocate for trail funding within Gloucester County. The County continues to push for funding the Circuit Trail system with the current ROW and Construction funding contained within the TIP for the extension of the Multi-Purpose Trail from its current terminus at Delsea Drive (Route 47) to Rowan University and to the Elk Township Recreational Park (which connects to the Elephant Swamp Trail and Salem County). We are actively looking at funding opportunities for the continuation of the Circuit Trail beyond Rowan University to existing facilities at Chestnut Branch Park and onward to Camden County’s Blackwood Trail. Branch trails are also being looked at for funding including connections to Washington Lake Park and James Atkinson Park.

Agency Response by Mercer County:

Mercer County values the enthusiasm and energy of our local biking and active recreation advocates. We do more by working together. In this spirit, in recent months, County staff have worked with municipal representatives on the Mercer County Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force, hosted by the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association, to identify current and future potential multi-purpose trail projects, especially those that tie into larger networks. Projects were prioritized for funding from sources that suited their stage of development, size, complexity, and so on, and County staff continue to advocate for those funds and add projects to the priority list. Different funding sources have different requirements and federal funds allocated in a TIP line item are the most onerous, for which only large projects executed by local governments are appropriate. State funds, also allocated through the TIP, are a little more flexible. Mercer County actively advocates for local trail projects under existing federal funding programs, including Transportation Alternatives, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality, Safe Routes To Schools, Safe Routes To Transit, and other State DOT and DEP programs. For specific, construction-ready projects of appropriate size, the County will also support individual TIP actions. If a number of such projects arise in our work with trail partners in years to come, the County will consider advocating for an ongoing TIP line item. The County will also continue to make significant investments in trail, bike, and pedestrian facility development using County Open Space and highway and bridge capital programs. So, to our partners and enthusiastic advocates, thanks for watching, thanks for pushing, and let’s keep pushing in the same direction. 


Tags: DVRPC

What's on Deck for the Circuit

Based upon a review of the status of Circuit trail projects in the nine counties, we are able to update the estimated completion dates of twenty-six trail projects and four on-road bike lane projects that are likely to occur over the next 24 months.  There are roughly 30 miles of trails and 15 miles of bike lanes expected to be added over the next two years.  Many exciting trail projects that everyone has long been waiting for are on this list!

Project Title

Type

Mileage

County

ESTIMATED Completion date

Delaware Avenue Extension

Paved Trail

0.6

Phila

Fall 2015

Green Lane Connector

Paved Trail/Sidepath

0.1

Bucks

Fall 2015

Newtown Square Trail

Trail

0.9

Delaware

Fall 2015

Darby Creek Stream Valley Park

Paved Trail

1.2

Delaware

Fall 2015

Tinicum Route 291 ECG

Trail/Sidepath

0.5

Delaware

Fall 2015

Pennypack Trail - Route 63  to Byberry Road

Stone Dust Trail

3

Montco

Fall 2015

Cobbs Creek Segment A

PavedTrail

1

Phila

Spring 2016

Manayunk Bridge

Paved Trail/Bridge

0.6

Phila

Spring 2016

Pennypack Trail - Crossing of Frankford Ave

2-Way Protected Bike Lane

0.05

Phila

Spring 2016

Marcus Hook ECG

Bike Lanes

1

Delaware

Spring 2016

Betzwood Bridge

Bridge

0.5

Montco

Spring 2016

Big Woods Trail

Stone Dust Trail

2

Berks

Spring 2016

Kinkora Trail

Trail/Sidepath

3

Burlington

Spring 2016

Lawrence Hopewell Trail - Carter Road Section

Trail

2

Mercer

Spring 2016

Chester Creek Trail

Paved Trail

2

Delaware

Summer 2016

SRT Pottstown - Phase 1

Trail

1.5

Montco

Summer 2016

Tookany Creek

Paved Trail

0.5

Montco

Summer 2016

Bartram's Mile

PavedTrail

1.25

Phila

Fall 2016

Baxter Trail

Paved Trail

1.75

Phila

Fall 2016

K&T Trail

Paved Trail

1.8

Phila

Fall 2016

SRT - South St to Christian

Paved Trail

0.3

Phila

Fall 2016

Tyburn Road Underpass

Trail

0.2

Bucks

Fall 2016

Del Rvr Heritage Trail

Trail/Sidepath

5

Burlington

Fall 2016

Gray's Ferry Swing Bridge

Bridge

0.75

Phila

Spring 2017

Lindberg Blvd - 84th St to John Heinz

Paved Trail/Sidepath

0.5

Phila

Spring 2017

Ben Franklin Bridge Ramp

Bridge

0.3

Camden

Spring 2017

Delaware River Waterfront Trail - Washington Ave to Pier 70

Trail Improvement

0.5

Phila

Spring 2017

TOTAL TRAIL MILEAGE

 

32.3

   

Tuckahoe Road Bike Lanes - Monroe Twp to Route 40

Bike Lanes

10

Gloucester

Fall 2015

Camden/North Camden Waterfront Bike Facilities

Bike Lanes

1.6

Camden

Fall 2015

Camden/North Camden Waterfront Bike Facilities

Sharrows

2

Camden

Fall 2015

North Park Drive Bike Lanes (Part of the Circuit)

Bike Lanes

1.6

Camden

Summer 2016

TOTAL BIKE LANE MILEAGE

 

15.2

   

DVRPC Announces CMAQ Competive Funding For South Jersey

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission is now accepting applications for Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) projects in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer Counties. Bicycle and Pedestrian projects such as trails are eligible for CMAQ funds.

DVRPC will be accepting CMAQ Program applications from January 9, 2015 until 5:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 9, 2015. A mandatory information session for applicants will be held at 4:00 P.M. on January 28, 2015 in the DVRPC Conference Room, 190 N. Independence Mall West, 8th Fl., Philadelphia, PA 19106.

For more details on program guidance as well as submitting an application visit the DVRPC CMAQ web page.

Tags: CMAQ, DVRPC, funding

2014 Highlights of the Circuit

    • 300 mile complete
    • 2014 Circuit logo slide
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2014 Milestones     

  • 12 miles of new trails were added, including the Boardwalk on Schuylkill Banks 
  • Manayunk Bridge and four other trails broke ground  
  • $13.2 million in federal, state and local grants were made in 2014 for Circuit projects.
  • The Willilam Penn Foundation awarded $8.6 million for Circuit trails and a communications plan
  • 8 counters were installed on Chester Valley Trail, Cynwyd, SRT at Kelly Drive, SRT at Pawlings Road, Lawrence Hopewell Trail, US 202 Parkway Trail, Wissahickon Trail. 
  • The Pennsylvania FY 2015-2018 Transportation Improvement Program committed an additional $1 million for Circuit projects in the next round of Transportation Alternatives awards and the five PA counties agreed to prioritize their Circuit trails for future funding.
  • Coverage in 47 outlets that reached 89 million viewers

300 miles are now complete

The Circuit grew in 2014 through the opening of the following trails:

Eleven Ribbon Cuttings/Trail Openings       

  1. Neshaminy Creek Trail - Doylestown & New Britain      
  2. Pennypack North/South Extension  
  3. Chester Valley Trail 2  & Trail 3           
  4. Schuylkill River Trail-Boardwalk    
  5. Kinkora Trail
  6. Lawrence Hopewell Pennington Connection        
  7. Schuylkill River Trail-Leesport
  8. Baldwin Run Trail
  9. Poquessing Creek Trail (not an official Circuit Trail)
  10. Yellow Springs Trail (Valley Forge) (not an official Circuit Trail)
  11. Destination Peace Valley Trail (not an official Circuit Trail)

Five Groundbreakings                       

  1. Manayunk Bridge    
  2. ECG- Baxter Trail     
  3. Pennypack N/S Extension  
  4. Sullivan's Bridge      
  5. Schuylkill River Trail West (not an official Circuit trail)

Media Impressions

Number of Viewers/Readers Reached:

89,776,236

**Huffington Post Viewership: 54,657,952**

Estimated Advertising Value:

$349,257.10

**Does not include Huffington Post advertising value**

*All readership, unique viewers and advertising equivalency numbers are estimates based on the best available data

Major Messages

  • As the trail network grows, small businesses are benefitting
  • Key assets in the Circuit are being completed
  • Collaboration leads to progress in trail development
  • Philadelphia is one of the most accessible cities for cyclists
  • The Circuit will make Philadelphia a world-class city for trail access
  • Funding is key for further trail development

Media Placements:

  • Since June, 47 different outlets covered stories
  • More than 16 TV segments
  • An impressive 8 Inquirer stories
  • All 4 Major Philly news channels covered events

50 Miles in Progress

Circuit Trails in the 9 county region were awarded $13.2 million in federal, state and local funding.

400 Miles to Go

We expect the following trails in the coming years to open:

2015:

  • Manayunk Bridge
  • Bartram’s Mile
  • SRT in Phoenixville and along the tow path in Mont Clare
  • Baxter Trail 
  • Pennypack between Welsh Road and Byberry Road (Bryn Athyn)

2016:

  • Ben Franklin Bridge ramp,
  • Chester Valley Trail in Montgomery County 
  • new bridge over the Schuylkill River at Valley Forge

 
 

    • pp141116 boardwalkc 2

Look for Rails to Trails Conservancy Trail Surveys #onthecircuit

    • circuit paper survey box
    • circuit survey monkey box
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Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is conducting Trail User Surveys on the following Circuit trails:
 
Pennsylvania Trails
 
  • Chester Valley Trail
  • Cynwyd Heritage Trail
  • Port Richmond Trail
  • Perkiomen Trail
  • Radnor Trail
  • Route 202 Parkway Trail
  • Schuylkill River Trail (Valley Forge area) 
  • Schuylkill River Trail (Fairmount Park area)
  • Schuylkill River Trail (Schuylkill Banks area) 
  • Wissahickon Trail
 
New Jersey Trails 
 
  • Blackwood Railroad Trail
  • Cooper River Trail
  • Elephant Swamp Trail 
  • Lawrence-Hopewell Trail 
  • Monroe Township Trail 
 
There are two types of surveys with identical questions. A paper survey which can be mailed back to Rails-to-Trails Conservancy postage paid, and an online survey hosted by Survey Monkey. Paper survey forms can be found in boxes.  The online survey can be accessed via smartphone using the QR code on the front of the survey box or by using the URL contained on the "take one" card.   Look for both on these trails and fill one out!
 
Surveys will be available through at least the end of the year.

NJ DOT Announces New Round of Transportation Alternatives and Safe Routes to School Funds

Applications are now being accepted for the 2014 Safe Routes to School (SRTS) and Transportation Alternatives (TAP) Programs.  The solicitation for these federally funded programs is being administered by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), in partnership with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), and the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO).
 
For more information about the SRTS grant, see the solicitation letter here

For more information about the TAP grant, see the solicitation letter here

NJDOT’s application guidance document for the SRTS program containing the necessary information for completing an application and answering questions regarding eligibility and program requirements can be viewed here.  The application guidance document for TAP can be viewed here
 
Applications for both SRTS and TAP are available through NJDOT’s online grant management system, SAGE (System for Administering Grants Electronically). The application deadline is May 15, 2014.
 
Visit NJDOT’s Local Aid and Economic Development website to learn more about both the SRTS and TAP grants.

Some key things to remember before applying - 

NJDOT has heard concerns about Technical Assistance and will be providing more technical support this year. Look for an upcoming webinar, local training/workshops and a tip sheet to improve you application. NJ Safe Routes to School already has developed a TIP sheet for SRTS

Program managers like to emphasize that both programs distribute funds for reimbursement.

DVRPC has control of about half of the TAP money allocated to the South Jersey counties in its jurisdiction and will be prioritizing these three categories:

  • Provisions of facilities for bicycles and pedestrians
  • Conversion of abandoned railway corridors to trails
  • Stormwater management projects

Take Action - Please help New Jersey keep its federal Recreational Trails Program

New Jersey's Recreational Trails Program provides $2 million annually in trail funding. It is a component of the Transportation Alternatives Program authorized by Congress under MAP 21. Each year the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded $25,000 grants to help build, promote and maintain trails.
 
However the (DEP) just suspended the Recreational Trails Program for 2014, directing staff resources to the NJ Blue Acres program. And while that program is an important endevour for Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts, it means that no one at the NJ DEP will manage the 2014 allocation or award to funds to recipients of the 2013 program, which include the repair of trails that have been damaged by the storm .
 
Since the trails program began in 1993, more than $17 million has been awarded to state, county and local government agencies and nonprofits in New Jersey.
 
Please help New Jersey keep its federal Recreational Trails Program.
 
Send an email to Robert Martin, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and urge him restore New Jersey's Recreational Trail Program.
 
 
 
    • Wawa Trail Connection
    • Gloucester - Mt. Ephraim Trail
    • Gloucester - Mt. Ephraim Trail

Improvements to the Gloucester Township Bike Path, part of the Gloucester-Mt. Ephraim Trail is awaiting funding from the 2013 round of the Rec Trails Program.


Navigating State and Federal Aid In New Jersey

Last weekend at the New Jersey Bike and Walk Summit, NJ DOT Local Aid and Economic Development Director Mike Russo and Safe Routes to School to Coordinator Elise Bremer-Nei gave a very informative presentation on the Bicycle and Pedestrian funding opportunities available for Local Public Agencies (LPA's). LPA's include Counties, Municipalities, Bridge/Transit Authorities as well as School Districts. 

This presentation is very timely as NJ DOT and DVRPC are about to announce new funding rounds for 1) Transportation Alternatives/Transportation Enhancements (TAP/TE) and 2) Safe Routes To School (SRTS).

In the past TE and SRTS competitive funding rounds have been extremely popular and over subscribed. For the last round in 2012 NJDOT received TE 149 applications that requested a total of $78M. Of that $10M was awarded to 29 of those projects. This 2014 soliciatation will be $15.5M for TAP/TE and $5.6M for Safe Routes to Schools statewide.

NJDOT is working on a strategy to ensure that project sponsors get the information they need to develop good project applications and complete projects successfully. Follow this blog for announcements of upcoming training opportunities and seminars.

Tags: funding, grants

Pitman, NJ Passes Resolution To Support Regional Trails

At its November Borough Council meeting, Pitman, NJ became the fourth municipality and the eighth organization to pass a resolution supporting the Circuit. The resolution specifically encourages Gloucester County to allocate funds to support planning, design and construction of trails within the County. The Circuit Coalition greatly appreciates the Borough's strong support for the completion of a regional trail network. Thanks to John Fitzpatrick for sending us a copy of the Resolution and to the advocates in Gloucester County who helped make this happen.


Resolutions & Letters in Support of the Circuit Commitment Campaign

Three municipalities have passed resolutions in support of funding the Circuit!  Wenonah Borough in Gloucester County, New Jersey, Haverford Township in Delaware County, PA and East Bradford Township in Chester County PA have each passed resolutions.  A HUGE kudos and hats off to Scott Barnes (Wenonah) and Peter Puglionesi (Haverford) for doing the heavy lifting to get these resolutions through their commissions. 

The Circuit Commitment campaign also received copies of letters of support from the Delaware County Transportation Management Agency, the YMCA of Burlington and Camden and Brandywine Realty Trust.  Special thanks to Chuck Cruit (Delco) and Jake Gordon (Camden) and Joseph Syrnick (Philly) for securing these letters of support.

All of this supports helps make the case that the Circuit deserves a regional investment.  We will be presenting these letters and resolutions to County Commissioners and Council members and Freeholders over the next few months as we meet with them to make the case for replenishing the Regional Trail Fund with $10 Million for a three year period.





The Circuit Revolutionizes DVRPC's Long-Range Plan

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A new plan adopted by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) has big impliations for connecting The Circuit.

On July 30th the DVRPC Board adopted Connections 2040 Plan for Greater Philadelphia. Connections 2040 is the long-range plan for the future growth and development of the DVRPC region. The plan includes land use, environmental, economic competitiveness, and transportation strategies, and puts forth a vision for investing in our transportation system.

The DVRPC plan looks ahead 25 years, and by law it must update that plan every 5 years. A key component of these plans is the list of major regional projects, which are the plan's largest and most significant set of identified projects. To accommodate The Circuit DVRPC created a new sub-category called "major regional bicycle and pedestrian projects." According to the plan there is enough funding available (based on current projections) to pay for about 75% of The Circuit by 2040 ($128M for PA and $99M for NJ).

The inclusion of The Circuit in this group of projects is a big win; the long-range plan has in effect set a target for investment. This makes the goals for the Circuit Committment campaign ($10M over the next 3 years) seem quite modest. But in reality most of the "shovel ready" trail projects are already in the pipeline for development. What is needed now is a big project design push to accellerate trail development over the next decade.

Tags: DVRPC

DVRPC Report on new Gloucester County Trail

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission recently released a report evaluating a proposed trail alignment spanning several municipalities in central and southeastern Gloucester County. The alignment, referred to tentatively as the Chestnut Branch  Connector, would link parks and open space with existing and proposed trails (like the Monroe Trail and Bridgeton Secondary). Towns such as Glassboro (and Rowan University’s campus) and Pitman are also located along the trail alignment. 


Help Connect the Circuit!

Let's Connect the Circuit!
emailimage_600w_resized_06_02
New Jersey Caucus Meeting
Take Actionhttps://www.facebook.com/bicycle.coalitionhttps://twitter.com/bcgp

To register for the Pennsylvania Caucus Meeting on June 17th, please click here!

To register for the New Jersey Caucus Meeting on June 19th, please click here!

Tags: DVRPC

PA and NJ Trail Caucus Meetings Coming In June

On behalf of The Circuit Coalition, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia invites you to the launch of the Circuit Commitment Campaign.

We are bringing together trail enthusiasts and supporters like you for two informational sessions in June (one for PA, one for NJ). These caucus meetings are the kickoff to the Circuit Commitment Campaign.

The Circuit Commitment Campaign's goal is to replenish the DVRPC (Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission)'s Regional Trail Fund, which is a competitive grant program established by the William Penn Foundation in 2010. The fund is distributing nearly $10 million in our nine-county region, and is helping plan, design and build nearly 40 miles of trail.

This grant program, if continued, could have a major impact on our trails! So we need people like you, who want to see The Circuit's unfinished trails built, to encourage County Commissioners (in Pennsylvania) & Freeholders (in New Jersey) to allocate a second $10 million for the years 2014-2016. This money will continue the momentum of that first grant cycle, moving us closer to realizing the vision of a region connected by a world-class network of bike-ped trails: The Circuit.

Get involved in creating new trails for your community by attending your state's trail caucus!

The Pennsylvania Caucus
June 17th, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Haverford Community, Recreation & Environmental Center
Register to attend here

New Jersey Caucus
June 19th, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Camden County Boathouse
Register to attend here

The Pennsylvania Caucus meeting will provide an overview of the next set of Circuit trails currently under development in Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, Bucks and Philadelphia Counties.

The New Jersey Caucus meeting will provide an overview of the next set of Circuit trails currently under development in Mercer, Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties.

At each meeting, we will also discuss the campaign goal and how you can help get this trail funding secured.


Gloucester & Camden Residents: Speak up for Rail-With-Trail (NJ.COM))

By Denise Copeland/Betty the Bike

Residents of Gloucester and Camden counties interested in the creation of new outdoor recreational opportunities are being encouraged by the Circuit Coalition to attend a public information meeting on Monday, May 20, 2013.

The Glassboro-Camden Line Project Team will hold the meeting from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Woodbury Jr/Sr High School located at 25 North Broad Street, Woodbury.

The GCL corridor traverses Gloucester and Camden counties and includes the communities of Glassboro, Pitman, Sewell, Mantua Twp., Deptford Twp. Wenonah, Woodbury Heights, Woodbury, Westville, Brooklawn, Gloucester City, and Camden. The proposed line would restore passenger rail service along an existing rail line using light rail vehicles similar to the NJ TRANSIT River Line.

The Circuit Coalition is advocating for the inclusion of a multi-use trail along the corridor. The trail option was not included in the initial scoping of the project was not considered.  Since this project is still in the early stages there is still time to study the possibility of a rail with trail.

A working example of an existing multi-use rail-with-trail in New Jersey is the Traction Line in Morris County.  The Traction Line Recreation Trail is popular for biking, jogging, cross country skiing, walking and strollers, and runs along the New Jersey Transit Line between Morristown and Madison.

The purpose of the public meeting is to review the outcome of the original public scoping meetings which were held by the Glassboro-Camden Line Team in the spring of 2010. The meeting will have no formal program, and attendees may arrive at any time during the meeting hours to view project display boards.

Anyone who is interested in a multi-use trail between Camden and Glassboro should attend this meeting and speak in favor of a rail with trail option.

For more details about the project go to http://www.glassborocamdenline.com/

 
http://blog.nj.com/nj_off-road_biking/2013/05/gloucester_camden_county_residents_speak_up_for_a_future_rail-with-trail_along_the_proposed_glassbor.html


Gloucester Camden Line Meeting - What About Rail With Trail?

The Glassboro-Camden Line Project Team will hold a public informational meeting on Monday, May 20, 2013 at the Woodbury Jr/Sr High School located at 25 North Broad Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096 from 6 to 8PM.  The purpose of the public meeting is to review the outcome of the public scoping meetings which were held by the Glassboro-Camden Line Team in the Spring of 2010. The meeting will have no formal program, and attendees may arrive at any time during the meeting hours to view project display boards.  

Topics to be discussed:
• Overview of project background and current step in process
• Explanation of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process
• Summary of Public comments
• Insight to the project purpose and need, alternatives, and environmental/social impacts to be studied
 
The Circuit Coalition is advocating for the inclusion of a multi-use trail along the corridor. The trail option was not included in the initial scoping of the project. However project is still in the early development stages there is still time to study the possibility of a rail with trail.
 
Anyone who is interested in a multi-use trail between Camden and Glassboro should attend this meeting and speak in favor of a rail with trail option.
 
For more details about the project go to http://www.glassborocamdenline.com/
 

The Hiawatha Rail Line (Blue Line) opened in Minneapolis in 2004 with an adjacent rail trail.


Circuit GIS Files Are Now Available

We have received several requests from organizations who want to add the Circuit trails to their GIS map data. While we have the ability to export the Circuit data it is not in a format that can be readily placed in most GIS mapping software programs. So we have released a GIS file that shows the current trails are officially designated as part of the Circuit.

DOWNLOAD


GIS or Geographic Information System is computer mapping that is integrated with database technology. GIS files containing map data (i.e. roads) can be read by various GIS programs such as the popular ArcGIS family of software and the open source QGIS. If you just want to display the map data you can use a free GIS viewers such as web based Geocommons.com (shown above) or ArcGIS Explorer. More readily available though are the .kml and .kmz file which can be displayed on Google Maps or in Google Earth.


NJDEP Accepting Recreational Trails Grant Applications

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is accepting applications for Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grants. The deadline for applying is February 15th, 2013

These grants are relatively small, the maximum allowable award is $25,000. But these grants can be combined with other funding sources and on their own can fund signage, trail maintenance/rehabilitiation or complete small sections of pathway in parks. RTP grants cannot pay for feasibility studies or land aquisition for non-motorized trails.

For details on the State Rec Trails Program go to http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/natural/trail_grants.htm.

Tags: funding, grants