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Work To Begin On 15-Mile Trail From Toms River To Barnegat
OCEAN COUNTY - A Hammonton contractor will transform 6,000 feet of what was once a rail line beginning in Barnegat Township into the first leg of Ocean County's 15.6 mile linear park known as the Barnegat Branch Trail. The trail will stretch from Toms River to Barnegat.
"We have awarded a contract to Highway Safety Systems Inc. to begin construction of the Barnegat Branch Trail which starts in Barnegat Township and will travel to Toms River Township," said Freeholder Director John P. Kelly, who serves as liaison to Ocean County's Department of Engineering. "This linear park will provide a unique recreational trail experience to thousands of our residents and visitors."
The contract in the amount of $414,838 was awarded by the Board of Chosen Freeholders during its September 5 regular meeting.
"We are looking forward to
this work getting underway,"
said Freeholder James F. Lacey. "This is the first section which
will begin at Burr Street in Barnegat and be completed at Barnegat Boulevard."
Under the contract, Highway Safety Systems Inc. will construct a 10 foot wide recreational trail that can be used by walkers, joggers and bicyclists. The contractor will grade the area and install a six inch thick trail consisting of gravel with a stone dust surface. The contract also calls for the installation of safety crossings at Rose Hill Road and also at Barnegat Boulevard, both in Barnegat Township. The project also includes the installation of fencing, benches and bike racks. The work is expected to start in the next few weeks and is to be completed in 60 calendar days.
The trail follows the existing right of way of the former Barnegat Branch Division of the Central Railroad of New Jersey.
The trail's southern terminus is at Burr Street in Barnegat Township and the northern terminus is near Water Street in the vicinity of the bus station in Toms River Township.
For planning purposes, the trail is divided into three segments - from Burr Street in Barnegat Township to Country Lane, Waretown, consisting of about 2.6 miles; from South Street in Lacey Township to the Berkeley- Beachwood boundary, which totals about 4.4 miles; and from Country Lane, Waretown, to South Street in Lacey Township, totaling about 6.6 miles. The primary surface finish will be a stone dust surface finish.
The plan also calls for a number of trail facilities including community centers, comfort stations, trail signage and historical exhibits.
Any facilities constructed by Ocean County would be built in a style reminiscent of passenger and freight stations that once served Barnegat Township, the Forked River section of Lacey Township, the Pinewald section of Berkeley Township and Toms River Township.
The plan also proposes several comfort stations, either co-located with community centers or as stand-alone facilities stationed along the trail.
In October 2002, Ocean County purchased
8.8 miles of the old railroad in three towns - Berkeley, Ocean and Barnegat townships.
This purchase was supplemented in 2004 when Lacey Township granted to Ocean County an easement over its 4.8-mile trail segment. Coupled with the existing bike path in Beachwood and the incorporation of a dedicated bike lane along Flint Road in South Toms River, the completed trail will span 15.6 miles from Barnegat Township to Toms River Township.
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