Somers Point Receives $171,000 Grant for Bike Path Extension

The New Jersey Department of Transportation awarded the City of Somers Point a $171,000 grant to build a 500-foot bikeway to connect the Somers Point Bike Path to the Route 52 Causeway, Somers Point Mayor Jack Glasser said on Thursday.

The grant will pay for the bike path extension from Somers Avenue to Braddock Avenue, which will connect to Route 52. It will also pay for bike racks, LED powered ornamental lighting, benches, way finding signage and landscaping.

“Somers Point has more biking trails that any community in South Jersey and this project will help to connect all of these amenities. The Route 52 causeway is constantly used for biking and walking, and our bike path connects all the City’s points of interest, including the schools and parks,” Glasser said.

A total of 28 projects were selected from a number of communities statewide that were competing for $17 million available from the State’s Transportation Alternatives Fund.

Local planning firm Rutala Associates prepared the application to secure the grant.

The City is also working with the State, the county and the New Jersey Highway Authority on a bike and pedestrian path that will connect Somers Point to Upper Township over the new Garden State Parkway Bridge. Plans call for bike paths on Somers Point-Mays Landing Road and Route 9 to the Parkway.

“With the growth in biking throughout the region, these improvements will provide yet another reason for people to reside in and frequently visit Somers Point,” Glasser said.

The attached image was provided by the City of Somers Point.