Grove Street Trail Connector

Parks

BACKGROUND

The Cooper River Trail, an approximately five-mile bike/pedestrian multi-use path, is part of a regional network of existing and planned trails in Camden County.  This project is to enhance safety and rehabilitate the segment of the existing trail from the Cooper River Dog Park to the intersection of Grove Street and Park Boulevard in Cherry Hill Township.

For this project, Camden County is using funds from the Federal Highway Administration for the Transportation Alternative Set-Aside Grant Program (TAP) that are administered by New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), Bureau of Local Aid and Economic Development.  Bikeway and pedestrian improvements are eligible projects for funding through the highly competitive TAP program.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

This segment of the trail meanders through forested meadows and provide picturesque views of Cooper River.  The existing trail has an uneven surface and substandard width resulting in conflicts between users.  The lack of adequate warning and the distance to an established crosswalk on Grove Street, discourage interested but concerned users from enjoying all the existing trail has to offer.

THE PROJECT

The primary purpose of the Grove Street Trail Connector project is to improve and widen the existing trail for users to safely travel and to maintain the natural beauty while minimizing impacts to the environment. The project will consist of:

  • Cooper River Dog Park to Grove Street is to be reconstructed to provide a smooth surface and widen to 10 feet to meet design standards for a multi-use path. The concrete pavement section of the trail under the railroad overpass will remain unchanged.
  • Grove Street will be provided with a new direct crossing by extending the existing median northward to establish a refuge area. This new mid-block crosswalk will be delineated with high visibility continental pavement markings (ladder style) and rectangular rapid flashing warning beacons.  ADA compliant curb ramps matching the width of the trail will be provided at the Grove Street curblines.
  • Grove Street to Park Boulevard trail segment will be realigned to reduce the steep grades. The realigned trail will run parallel along the east side of Grove Street approximately 5 feet from the curbline.

Signage conveying traffic safety information and warnings and identifying the bike/pedestrian trail is to be provided.

PROJECT SCHEDULE:

Anticipated Construction Start Fall 2022
Anticipated Construction End Spring 2023

Cost:

Construction cost is estimated to be $424,000.  Costs for Engineering Design, Construction and Construction Inspection is being reimbursed through this Federal grant program and administered through NJDOT Local Aid.

Historic and Cultural Resources:

Federal regulations pertaining to the protection of historic properties, referred to as the Section 106 process, require the Camden County and NJDOT to take into account the effect of proposed projects upon historic resources listed in, or eligible for listing in, the National Register of Historic Places. Information about the process is available at https://www.achp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2017-01/CitizenGuide.pdf.  Camden County and NJDOT are required to solicit public input to assist in carrying out the Section 106 process. Historic preservation organizations, historical societies, and similar groups, or individuals with information about cultural resources (archaeological or architectural) in the project area are encouraged to attend the Public Information Center and provide comments.

A survey form link for the project is available at https://forms.office.com/r/9FFzVsuVji. Please provide your comments no later than Tuesday July 13, 2021 to be included in the project record. 

For further information, please contact:

Dale Foster, PE, CME
Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.
100 Corporate Drive, Suite 301
Lebanon, NJ 08833

dfoster@gpinet.com

 

VIRTUAL PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTER

Camden County is committed to developing transportation improvements that best balance transportation needs, the environment, community concerns, and costs. Camden County is holding a Virtual Public Information Center to inform local residents, officials, and community with information on the Camden County Grove Street Trail Connector project. You are encouraged to participate by providing comments at the meeting, by mail, or e-mail.

Due to the COVID-19 concerns, the Public Information Center will be held virtually on June 29, 2021 at 6:00PM. To participate in the live virtual Public Information Center, go to Camden County, NJ Parks Department website at https://www.camdencounty.com/service/parks/ .  The live virtual Public Information Center will be recorded, and the presentation and recording will be posted on the Parks Department website.  Please visit this website any time between June 30th to July 13, 2021 to learn more about the project and leave comments. Property owners with rental units are advised that tenants are also invited and encouraged to participate.

Meeting Information / Downloads: