Submit Your Comment: Tell NJ Decision Makers to Prioritize the Circuit Trails

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) is accepting public comments for the New Jersey (FY24-FY27) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Once a project has been programmed into the TIP, it is prioritized to receive federal investment and greatly accelerates its development.

With the Circuit Trails Coalition's short-term goal of completing 500 miles of trails by 2025, we estimate that the four New Jersey counties in the Circuit footprint need to fund or complete approximately 10 miles of trails annually over the next three years. An ambitious goal, but with 26 miles of New Jersey's Circuit Trails projects already moving toward construction and another 30 miles in the pipeline, we believe this goal can be achieved with adequate funding, sufficient staff capacity, dedicated right of way and, most importantly, political will.

Who You're Contacting

Office of Communications and Engagement

Public Comments

DVRPC

190 N. Independence Mall West, 8th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106-1520 US

Phone:

What You’re Saying

Subject

Salutation

Dear members of the DVRPC Board, [Decision Maker]:

Body

I am writing to provide the following comments on the Draft FY2024 TIP for New Jersey (FY24-FY27):

1) I would like to thank the DVRPC Board for programming the Rancocas Creek Greenway, Laurel Run Park (DB# D2207), a Circuit Trails project, into the NJ TIP.

2) I would also like to thank the Board for programming the following projects which include bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements:
DB#’s 15423, 18383, 29337, D2023, D1910, 12346, 12346A, D2216, D2014

3) I urge the DVRPC to use a portion of the new Carbon Reduction Program (DB# D2305) and eligible highway funds to fund prioritized Circuit projects. The Draft TIP is silent on what NJDOT or DVRPC plans to spend Carbon Reduction Program funds on. It should at least reveal what NJDOT is spending Carbon Reduction Program funds in the 2023 TIP Program Year if decisions have been made for this current year.	

4) The Connections 2050 Long Range Plan committed to allocating 5% of highway funds for bicycle-pedestrian projects. Based on that Long Range Plan commitment, the NJ TIP should be spending roughly $131 Million over 4 years, which is 5% of what the Draft TIP states it will be spending on highway projects (Statewide Highway for DVRPC plus DVRPC Region Highway, $2.636 billion over 4 years). However, the Draft NJTIP commits only $62.1 million over 4 years for 7 bicycle/pedestrian projects and 4 grant programs, which is 2.36% of the total budget. I ask the Board to commit $69 million more to match the 2050 Connections Long Range Plan allocation for Circuit Trails projects and other bicycle/pedestrian projects in the TIP so that more Circuit Trails projects can be programmed, helping to reach the goal of completing 500 miles of trails by 2025.  

5) I ask the Board to program the following 5 Circuit Trails projects into the TIP to ensure they receive the necessary funding to accelerate their development. These projects can be funded with the Carbon Reduction Program and other flexible highway fund programs, such as the Surface Transportation Block Grant program.

 - Glassboro-Elk Trail (previously listed as DB #D1203 in the FY22-25 NJTIP)
 - Camden County LINK Trail
 - Johnson Trolley Line Trail from Trenton to Ewing and Lawrence, including the trail bridge over I-295.
 - Merchantville Trail (Burlington-Camden Trail from Camden to Maple Shade)
 - Rancocas Creek Greenway Trail Bridge over Route 130 in Delanco and Willingboro

6) I do not support Highway Expansion projects proposed by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (TPK Mainline Capacity Enhancements Between I/C 1 - 4) and the South Jersey Transportation Authority (ACE Widening (MP 30.6-44): Widening of the Atlantic City Expressway from milepost 31.6 to 44.2.). Between these two agencies, they are proposing to spend over $3.6 billion dollars on highway expansion that is above and beyond the 4% allocated for highway expansion in the Long Range Plan. Meanwhile the region is experiencing historic heat and flooding impacts of climate change.  It is irresponsible to fund these expansion projects.

Thank you,

[Your name]
[Your email address]

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Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia
1500 Walnut Street, Suite 1107, Philadelphia, PA 19102

215-BICYCLE (215 242-9253)

Submit Your Comment: Tell NJ Decision Makers to Prioritize the Circuit Trails

Who You're Contacting

Office of Communications and Engagement

What You’re Saying

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