Statement of Tri-State Transportation Campaign, New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition and the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia on the updated Route 35 Reconstruction Plan, unveiled on Tuesday. 

For immediate release – April 1, 2014

Contact:
Janna Chernetz, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, 908-208-0083
Cyndi Steiner, New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition, 973-886-4142
John Boyle, Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, 215-242-9253

Advocates Applaud Updates to NJ Route 35 Reconstruction Plan

Bike Lanes Now Included Along the Majority of the 12.5-mile Corridor

Tri-State Transportation Campaign, New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition and the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia applaud the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the Route 35 project team for including 10 miles of dedicated bike lanes as part of the 12.5-mile, $265 million Route 35 Reconstruction Project.

Dedicated bicycle facilities were not part of the original Route 35 reconstruction plan, which was first revealed in July 2013. Since then, there has been overwhelming public, business and local government support for better cycling infrastructure throughout the project area.

These new bike lanes will benefit tourism, recreation, business, and resiliency for the shore area. Roads with bike lanes aren’t just safer and more attractive to cyclists; they can also help reduce traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.

While the updated plan is a vast improvement over the previous version, it is just the first step in transforming Route 35 into a truly complete street. There are still some sections of the project area that lack dedicated bicycle accommodations and continuous sidewalks that must be revisited in the future. We look forward to a continued partnership with NJDOT and the local municipalities as the Route 35 Reconstruction Project moves ahead.