Cape May Receives Planning Grant for Bicycle and Pedestrian Paths

CAPE MAY – The City of Cape May recently received grant approval from the New Jersey Department of Transportation for the planning process of Bicycle and Pedestrian Path System throughout the city. The city is partnering with Cape May Point on the effort, and WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff is providing the technical expertise for the traffic engineering and planning/design on this multi-purpose project.
The two towns seek to develop a joint plan for bicycle and pedestrian circulation that accommodates access and provides connections to key destinations, boost eco-tourism and also assist with traffic safety. WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff will conduct a planning study to support this effort as part of the NJOT’s Local Bicycle/Pedestrian Planning Assistance Program. The study will include collaboration with city and borough officials, analytics of existing pedestrian and bicycle data, identification of key pedestrian and bicycle traffic generators, a conditions assessment, review possible routes and key corridors, and identify opportunities to enhance the overall bicycle and pedestrian routes throughout.
“This fully funded and technically supported planning project represents the initial step in a collaborative and public process to provide a desired and needed comprehensive bike/pedestrian path system to meet the transit, recreational, environmental, economic, and traffic safety needs of the residents and valued visitors in Cape May City and Cape May Point”, said Cape May Mayor Ed Mahaney.
A Study Advisory Committee will also be developed for the planning process consisting of City and Borough staff, county and state engineering officials and local bicycle and pedestrian advocates. The committee will provide input on existing conditions and desired improvements as well as gain feedback on proposed recommendations.
The planning phase of this project is expected to be conducted over a period of nine months, starting with the first Study Advisory Committee meeting and ending with the completion of the final report.   A notice of the first public meeting will be announced for later this winter.