By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
NORTHFIELD — Zion Road resident Deidre “Dee” Kreuz notified City Council of a dangerous intersection near her home. She was pleasantly surprised to find out a fix is already in the works.
During a meeting March 2, Kreuz said the area where the bike path crosses Zion Road is a safety hazard to bicyclists and pedestrians.
The bike path runs between Wabash Avenue to the west of Zion Road and Fuae Avenue to the east, with both streets intersecting Zion at an angle. In addition, Northfield Avenue connects with Wabash just before the Zion Road intersection.
The angle of Zion Road prevents those on the bike path from seeing traffic coming from the north, while a curve in Zion Road prevents them from seeing traffic coming from the south.
“I drive it every day and walk the bike path with my family,” Kreuz said.
She suggested the city install a blinking light with a button like the one at the Tilton Road crossing.
City engineer Rami Nassar informed Kreuz that the city submitted a grant proposal for a project that would include upgrades to the entire bike path and re-aligning that intersection.
“If the grant comes through, we are going to have plans approved by the county to redesign the bike path,” Nassar said.
According to the Engineer’s Report, a meeting was held Oct. 16 with the New Jersey Department of Transportation to discuss the possibility of funding through the Transportation Alternative Set-Aside program. Nassar and City Clerk Mary Canesi wrote a grant application and submitted it Nov. 24.
The application states that the improvements would provide safer access for pedestrians and bicyclists throughout the community and for school students.
“We anticipate that our planned improvements to lighting, accessibility and safety will increase all types of use, including walking, bicycling, jogging, kids on scooters, people in wheelchairs and more,” the application states. “By widening the path, more people can use it in different ways, simultaneously, and in a safer manner.”
It notes that the bike path is connected to Pleasantville to the north and to Linwood and Somers Point to the south.
In 2014, the NJDOT provided the city Pedestrian Safety Planning Assistance, assigning Philadelphia-based consulting firm Urban Engineers to help create a Local Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.
“Many of the improvements we are proposing were recommended in that plan,” the application states. “If we are successful with this application, we will be able to see a five-year project come to fruition.”
The project includes widening the bike path from 8 feet to 12 feet to allow for increased traffic as well as improved lighting.
“Existing lighting, especially at the path intersections with public streets, is poor, which can affect pedestrians and bicyclists when crossing public roads,” it states.
The project also would re-align the bike path at several intersections and add warning beacons at five crossings, as well as upgrade handicap accessibility.
“With these improvements, we believe we will see new and existing users choosing our bike path as an alternative to motorized modes of transportation, and that use of the bike path as a means to access public transportation routes will increase,” the application states, noting that a bike rack would be placed at the intersection of Tilton Road “to make it easier to use the English Creek-Tilton Road Community Shuttle.”
Other parts of the plan will improve access to the bike path from parking areas and create new connections directly to the path where none currently exist at 12 dead-end streets.
The application touted the health and social aspects of using the bike path.
“In addition to being a great way to get from point A to point B, it’s a wonderful place to get some exercise, walk your dog or meet some friends. It is where neighbors gather, and many residents and visitors ride or walk the length of the path, not just the portion in Northfield,” it states. “We believe the bike path strengthens the social and environmental aspects of transportation and recreation, and that it provides a means of convenient, environmentally friendly access to local businesses and services, schools and public transportation.
“Our planned upgrades will enhance the entirety of the Pleasantville-to-Somers Point path, and create a safer, more consistent experience for all users.”
The project also includes high-visibility crosswalks and improvements to pedestrian warning and crossing signs.
“The proposed rectangular rapid-flashing beacons and upgrades to crossings will enhance public safety and welfare,” it states.
Letters of support were included in the grant proposal, including from the mayors of Linwood and Somers Point and Mainland Regional High School Chief School Administrator Mark Marrone.
Mayor Darren Matik stated Linwood hopes to undertake similar improvements to be consistent with Northfield’s plan and what already exists in Somers Point.
Project schedule
Plans are for the city to create a request for proposals for engineering design services by May 1, with the design phase beginning July 1. Bids would be received and a contract awarded between December and February 2022, with construction beginning May 1, 2022, and ending Sept. 1, 2022.
The anticipated cost is $1,040,682, including $85,000 for design engineering and $75,000 for construction inspection.