News
May 10 2008
Route may connect tourists to South Jersey
BRIDGETON -- The federal government is staking out a proposed scenic tourist route that would cross New Jersey's three southernmost counties.
The Bayshore Heritage Byway is projected to span 120 to 130 miles, starting in Mannington Township Salem County.
The byway would be routed along specified roads, unlike the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail and New Jersey Audubon's Birding and Wildlife Trail, which specify sites of interest but leave it to travelers to find their way.
National Park Service official Philip Correll this week briefed the Cumberland County Planning Board on the project. Correll, based in Newport in Downe Township, is project director of the Coastal Heritage Trail and the Pinelands Interpretive Program.
Correll said the byway would mean access to federal money for such purposes as road enhancements, such as road "pulloffs" for drivers, or to build a visitors center.
He also projected an economic impact, saying the route would bring people to communities with large amounts of wetlands and open space that otherwise does not generate money for local use.
Correll said U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2, procured about $140,000 from the Federal Highways Administration for the project several years ago. The New Jersey Department of Transportation is holding the money.
It is a multi-step, multi-year process to establish the trail.
Correll said the service hopes to put in an application late this summer or early in the fall to have New Jersey designate the proposed route. That starts a five-year planning process.
In April, the South Jersey Bayshore Coalition was added as the sponsor of the byway. The coalition's 17 members include the Bayshore Discovery Project in Bivalve, Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries Inc. and the Cohansey Area River Preservation.
The service eventually wants formal declarations of support from municipal governments and county officials. Freeholder Douglas Rainear, a board member, told Correll it would be preferable if municipal officials gave their approvals first.
Correll said Thursday that Hopewell and Downe townships requested and a few weeks ago received presentations about the project. Formal letters requesting resolutions of support will be mailed in the next few weeks, he said.
Hopewell Township Committeeman Joseph Shoemaker declined to comment on the project. Shoemaker said the committee had yet to get a report on the idea from the township's environmental committee.
Hopewell Township Clerk Ted Ritter said a vote could take place at the next Township Committee meeting.
The byway would run west from Salem County into Stow Creek Township, heading east into Dennis Township in Cape May County. It would end on Lighthouse Avenue in Cape May Point Borough.
The byway does come with an impact on local zoning. Once designated, billboards could not be added along the route, although existing ones would not be affected.
Robert Brewer, county planning director, said the proposed route overlaps most of Cumberland County's bikeway system.
The Bayshore Heritage Byway is projected to span 120 to 130 miles, starting in Mannington Township Salem County.
The byway would be routed along specified roads, unlike the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail and New Jersey Audubon's Birding and Wildlife Trail, which specify sites of interest but leave it to travelers to find their way.
National Park Service official Philip Correll this week briefed the Cumberland County Planning Board on the project. Correll, based in Newport in Downe Township, is project director of the Coastal Heritage Trail and the Pinelands Interpretive Program.
Correll said the byway would mean access to federal money for such purposes as road enhancements, such as road "pulloffs" for drivers, or to build a visitors center.
He also projected an economic impact, saying the route would bring people to communities with large amounts of wetlands and open space that otherwise does not generate money for local use.
Correll said U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2, procured about $140,000 from the Federal Highways Administration for the project several years ago. The New Jersey Department of Transportation is holding the money.
It is a multi-step, multi-year process to establish the trail.
Correll said the service hopes to put in an application late this summer or early in the fall to have New Jersey designate the proposed route. That starts a five-year planning process.
In April, the South Jersey Bayshore Coalition was added as the sponsor of the byway. The coalition's 17 members include the Bayshore Discovery Project in Bivalve, Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries Inc. and the Cohansey Area River Preservation.
The service eventually wants formal declarations of support from municipal governments and county officials. Freeholder Douglas Rainear, a board member, told Correll it would be preferable if municipal officials gave their approvals first.
Correll said Thursday that Hopewell and Downe townships requested and a few weeks ago received presentations about the project. Formal letters requesting resolutions of support will be mailed in the next few weeks, he said.
Hopewell Township Committeeman Joseph Shoemaker declined to comment on the project. Shoemaker said the committee had yet to get a report on the idea from the township's environmental committee.
Hopewell Township Clerk Ted Ritter said a vote could take place at the next Township Committee meeting.
The byway would run west from Salem County into Stow Creek Township, heading east into Dennis Township in Cape May County. It would end on Lighthouse Avenue in Cape May Point Borough.
The byway does come with an impact on local zoning. Once designated, billboards could not be added along the route, although existing ones would not be affected.
Robert Brewer, county planning director, said the proposed route overlaps most of Cumberland County's bikeway system.
