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http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/11/proposed_hiking_biking_trail_i.html
Proposed Morris County hiking, biking trail gets $1.9M in federal funds
By Lawrence Ragonese/The Star-Ledger
November 15, 2009, 7:30AM
MORRIS COUNTY -- A proposed six-mile hiking and biking trail that would run through Pequannock and Wayne, connecting to NJ Transit’s Mountain View train station, has gotten long-awaited federal authorization, including $1.9 million in federal dollars, according to Morris County officials.
The money will be used to design the project, including engineering, surveying, topographical, wetlands and other environmental reviews, said Frank Pinto, director of the Morris County Department of Planning and Development.
If all goes well, construction of the trail could begin within two years, said Jerry Rohsler, the county’s transportation director. The estimated total price tag for the project is $4 million.
"It took 10 years to get authorization, so it’s a big deal to get this moving to the next stage," said Pinto.
But he stressed there are still plenty of obstacles to overcome, including creating a safe means for hikers and bikers to get over the Pompton River.
The asphalt trail, which would run from Post Lane in Riverdale, through Pequannock and to the train station in Wayne, would be the first of its kind in the Route 23 corridor region of Morris and Passaic counties. It has been especially appealing to transportation officials because it connects with mass transit.
"We’re expecting this will be used a lot," said Rohsler. "If it wasn’t such a good project, we would not have spent all of this effort continuing to pursue it."
The bike path would be open to cyclists, strollers, in-line skaters and horseback riders, but motorized vehicles, such as dirt bikes, would be prohibited. The trail would provide a link to Pequannock Valley Park and the aquatic park along the Wanaque River, officials said, and also would pass beneath Route 23, providing a safe highway crossing.
Pequannock officials have said they hope to post kiosks along the trail and throughout town, pointing bikers to downtown shopping and historic sites.
While design work moves ahead, Morris County officials will negotiate an easement agreement with NYS&W railroad for use of the path that abuts its long-unused tracks, said Rohsler. He said the two sides have spoken "extensively" and he is optimistic an agreement can be reached.
Nathan Fenno, an NYS&W vice president, has said the railroad supports the trails concept but noted there are details to work out, including safety and liability issues, plus compensation. Trains have not run on this section of track for more than a decade, but the rail line wants to retain ownership in case it decides to reactivate the line, Fenno said.
Pinto said the toughest obstacle will be getting hikers and bikers over the Pompton River. Rohsler said the likely solution would be to add a pedestrian segment to an existing NYS&W bridge that now spans the waterway. That issue will be thoroughly explored in the design phase, he said.
The idea for the bike path was conceived more than a decade ago by Pete Standish, a Pequannock resident and avid cyclist, said local officials. When Standish died, he donated money to the township for the project. The money sits in a township account.
To memorialize Standish’s effort and contribution, a portion of the township’s bike lane may be dedicated in his name, officials have said.
"There is great interest in Pequannock to get this accomplished,’’ said Morris County Freeholder Jack Schrier. "We’re glad to see this finally moving along.’’
Once completed, the trail will be managed and policed by the Morris County Park Commission.
Staff writer Kristen Alloway contributed to this report.
Proposed Morris County hiking, biking trail gets $1.9M in federal funds
By Lawrence Ragonese/The Star-Ledger
November 15, 2009, 7:30AM
MORRIS COUNTY -- A proposed six-mile hiking and biking trail that would run through Pequannock and Wayne, connecting to NJ Transit’s Mountain View train station, has gotten long-awaited federal authorization, including $1.9 million in federal dollars, according to Morris County officials.
The money will be used to design the project, including engineering, surveying, topographical, wetlands and other environmental reviews, said Frank Pinto, director of the Morris County Department of Planning and Development.
If all goes well, construction of the trail could begin within two years, said Jerry Rohsler, the county’s transportation director. The estimated total price tag for the project is $4 million.
"It took 10 years to get authorization, so it’s a big deal to get this moving to the next stage," said Pinto.
But he stressed there are still plenty of obstacles to overcome, including creating a safe means for hikers and bikers to get over the Pompton River.
The asphalt trail, which would run from Post Lane in Riverdale, through Pequannock and to the train station in Wayne, would be the first of its kind in the Route 23 corridor region of Morris and Passaic counties. It has been especially appealing to transportation officials because it connects with mass transit.
"We’re expecting this will be used a lot," said Rohsler. "If it wasn’t such a good project, we would not have spent all of this effort continuing to pursue it."
The bike path would be open to cyclists, strollers, in-line skaters and horseback riders, but motorized vehicles, such as dirt bikes, would be prohibited. The trail would provide a link to Pequannock Valley Park and the aquatic park along the Wanaque River, officials said, and also would pass beneath Route 23, providing a safe highway crossing.
Pequannock officials have said they hope to post kiosks along the trail and throughout town, pointing bikers to downtown shopping and historic sites.
While design work moves ahead, Morris County officials will negotiate an easement agreement with NYS&W railroad for use of the path that abuts its long-unused tracks, said Rohsler. He said the two sides have spoken "extensively" and he is optimistic an agreement can be reached.
Nathan Fenno, an NYS&W vice president, has said the railroad supports the trails concept but noted there are details to work out, including safety and liability issues, plus compensation. Trains have not run on this section of track for more than a decade, but the rail line wants to retain ownership in case it decides to reactivate the line, Fenno said.
Pinto said the toughest obstacle will be getting hikers and bikers over the Pompton River. Rohsler said the likely solution would be to add a pedestrian segment to an existing NYS&W bridge that now spans the waterway. That issue will be thoroughly explored in the design phase, he said.
The idea for the bike path was conceived more than a decade ago by Pete Standish, a Pequannock resident and avid cyclist, said local officials. When Standish died, he donated money to the township for the project. The money sits in a township account.
To memorialize Standish’s effort and contribution, a portion of the township’s bike lane may be dedicated in his name, officials have said.
"There is great interest in Pequannock to get this accomplished,’’ said Morris County Freeholder Jack Schrier. "We’re glad to see this finally moving along.’’
Once completed, the trail will be managed and policed by the Morris County Park Commission.
Staff writer Kristen Alloway contributed to this report.
