Help Save New Jersey's Recreation Trails Program

New Jersey has some terrific trails, both part of The Circuit and outside our region's dominant trail system. These trails have been bolstered by $1 million a year in trail funding provided by federal transportation dollars.

The Recreational Trails Program has helped
build the Lawrence Hopewell Trail in Mercer County

Right now, however, New Jersey is sitting on nearly $2 million in trail funding, unable to use it or spend it because there's no one to administer the grants. program.

The short story is that New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been shifting staff resources to deal with Hurricane Sandy recovery projects. Which is important, but that staffing shift includes the person responsible for administering this trail funding money. This article on Philly.com written by Michele Byers of the NJ Conservation Foundation gives a good overview of the issue.

There are obvious fixes to this, but the DEP needs prodding. 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.

Take Action

This trail money is given in $25,000 (or smaller) grants to build, promote, or maintain trails. These things take time, and spring is nearly here. New Jersey is not acting on $1 million allocated last year, and has also frozen $1 million for 2014. Let's get that money working for trails in New Jersey!

New Round of Grants Opens for Regional Trails

The third round of trail funding has been announced by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC). This round will be available for design and construction of trails within The Circuit. Applications are due on April 5th. More information is on the Funding Opportunity Announcement. Up to $4 million is available and no project may receive more than $500,000.

The Regional Trail Program was created by a grant from the William Penn Foundation. The first two rounds provided grants for planning, design and construction of 29 projects throughout the nine county region covered by DVRPC.

NOTE: This post originally appeared on Crossing Paths, the official blog of The Circuit.

DVRPC Announces Competitive Round Of Funding For Air Quality And Congestion Projects

For the first time in six years, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission has announced a competitive round of funding for the construction and completion of bike, pedestrian, transit, and other projects aimed at improving air quality in the region.

DVRPC has allocated $10.6 million for this round; $8m is available for Pennsylvania and $2.6m for New Jersey. Transportation authorities, local governments and non-profits who partner with those organizations are eligible to apply for the funds.

DVRPC Announces Grants To Bike/Ped Projects In Pennsylvania

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission has announced the recipients of the 2012 Pennsylvania Transportation and Community Development Initiative Grants. In total, $1.2 Million was awarded to 24 projects. The projects listed below offer possible significant improvements for bicycling in the region, although other projects may contain some bicycle benefits as part of their final product. TCDI has been well-used by the City of Philadelphia as the primary source of funding for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.

Mayors Office of Transportation, Center City Cycle Track Signal Timing - $76,000

The project is part of a larger initiative to design, test and build a cycle track along JFK Boulevard and Market Street, from Center City to 30th Street Station. The Center City District has been studying the feasibility of building such a cycle track since 2009. This study will build upon the work of these conceptual studies and provided analysis for the western portion of the proposed cycle track (20th to 30th Sts). Completing this study will enable the City and the CCD to develop the preliminary engineering for the cycle track.

City of Philadelphia, Washington Avenue Streetscape and Design - $75,000

This study will improve roadway safety and functionality for pedestrians, cyclists, passenger vehicles, buses and trucks on Washington Avenue. The study will also clarify parking and loading areas, look at landscaping and other streetscape improvements, and take into consideration and recommend land use changes along Washington Avenue. The goal of the project is to develop a plan for Washington Avenue as a Complete Street that works.