Path system would run throughout Old Bridge

The Old Bridge Planning Board has approved changes to the master plan to allow for a system of integrated paths designated for walking and bicycling.

The paths, known as the Old Bridge Township Cross Trails, would link parks, public areas and points of interest throughout the township. The board unanimously approved the master plan changes at its Nov. 10 meeting.

"The reaction from the board was all very positive," said Planning Board member David Merwin. "And that's because of what we're doing here — adding to the township's recreation. That's definitely something we need to continue to support."

Merwin noted, however, that the actual path plans have yet to be approved.

The township's Environmental Commission proposed the 12-mile path system after determining that there is a high demand for bicycling and walking in Old Bridge. It secured $20,000 in funding from the township's open space fund and the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) to study the path system's feasibility.

The township contracted with consulting engineers French & Parrello Associates of Wall Township to develop the concept of a townshipwide network of pathways into a planning tool for future development, and to seek further grant applications.

The paths would begin at Phillips Preserve, off Route 18, and lead to Maple Street and Marlboro Road, connecting at Veterans Park, off Englishtown Road. The path would travel through a neighboring development and come across St. Thomas the Apostle school and church on Route 18, then cross a pedestrian bridge that connects back to Marlboro Road. The next stop on the path is Southwood Drive, which leads to Route 516, up toward Morganville Road, then to Laurence Harbor with the final stop at the Raritan Bay waterfront.

Michael Piga, a certified landscape architect with French & Parello, said that once the spine of the path has been established, secondary spurs and smaller routes will be explored to make connections to schools, playgrounds and ball fields.

"This is being done because it's something necessary," said Blanche Hoffman, chairwoman of the Old Bridge Environmental Commission. "We can't depend on automobiles all the time. This is a healthy endeavor, and most residents think this is long overdue."

Hoffman said the interconnection of major township recreational facilities, such as the YMCA, Mannino Park and the library, was an important goal of the plan.

She noted that the plan was originally introduced at a March 3 Planning Board meeting. Safety was initially the major issue regarding the system, with board members concerned about bicyclists and pedestrians crossing major arteries like Route 516. These safety concerns have been carefully considered and rectified, Hoffman said.

The changes to the master plan were made within the document's Traffic and Circulation Element. These adjustments call for the acquisition of rights of way along the primary and secondary routes depicted in the proposed plan, encourage Middlesex County to integrate the path system with its own bikeway plan, undertake the design and construction of the network in total, and require applicants proposing to develop property in areas within the bicycle system to integrate the path along their property frontage.

"The trails plan calls to incorporate so many elements of the township. It will take many years to piece together," Mayor Jim Phillips said. "It will be executed as grants become available and developers come in."

Phillips said the last caveat to the master plan would be key in implementing the bike system. While the township is actively seeking out grants, he said, the majority of construction would rely on developers looking to construct within the boundaries of the path.

"This is a long-term plan. It's not going to happen overnight," Hoffman said. "But now the developers will be required to give the township property when they come in with their plans. We're in a better position to say what land we need."

Hoffman noted that despite land acquired through developers, the township would still need grants to buy conservation easements in order to obtain land already held by private owners.

"We have a very common disease — low funding. The township is 42 square miles. To take on this project would be an enormous expenditure," Phillips said. "But you can never be too poor to plan. To have a plan in effect for when future projects come along is crucial to good township facilities."