LOWER TOWNSHIP – It was a celebration for cyclists when County Freeholder Jeffrey L. Pierson and Lower Township Mayor Erik Simonsen cut the ribbon on the new bike path expansion that connects Lower and Middle townships.
Cyclists are now able to take the completed bike path from the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal, take the Cold Spring Bike Path to the Middle Township Bike Path and ride north all the way to the Cape May County Park and Zoo.
“It’s great to connect the two communities. Hopefully we’ll get more on board in the future, that’s the plan,” Mayor Simonsen said and noted that recently he and his father rode the entire route to the county park and back to Lower Township.
“It’s nice to get to point A to point B without being on major highways,” added Simonsen.
“This is a homerun for both Lower Township and Middle Township. It will also give a boost to recreational and economic activities in our communities”, said Lower Township Manager Jim Ridgway.
The bike path project was a cooperative effort with Middle Township and both townships sought county Open Space grant funding to complete their portions of the bike path, mobilized public works employees to do the construction and utilized the Atlantic City Electric right-of-way for the path’s route.
Manager Ridgway stated that the project was done quickly with the help of Public Works Director Gary Douglass and Assistant Supervisor David Lepor along with a stellar crew of employees that were responsible for completing the path during the month of August. Ridgway also thanked Grant Coordinator Colleen Crippen, and Leslie Gimeno of the Open Space Board for their cooperation and support of this game changing project.
The Delaware River and Bay Authority also endorsed the bicycle connector path and has committed to doubling the number of bicycle racks on its ferries and providing enhancements to the recently completed bike path along Sandman Blvd. The DRBA has been working closely with both municipalities and has offered financial and administrative support.
