City Unveils Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan
Public Comment Period On Final Draft Open Online Until Jan 11
A public comment period is now open for Asbury Park’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, a part of
“The Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan was developed with community participation through outreach efforts at City events, an online survey map, two stakeholder focus groups, and a steering advisory committee with members including residents, City staff, County and State agencies, local advocacy groups, and the business community,” Transportation Director Michael Manzella said. “The plan will lay the official framework for future infrastructure improvements, enhancing the safety of all users of the city’s streets, particularly the most vulnerable – pedestrians and cyclists.”
Funded by a technical assistance grant awarded in mid-2017 from the New Jersey Department of Transportation [NJDOT], the work was done by New York-based WSP – an engineering and land survey company. A steering committee launched in July 2017, with the final recommendations made in October. Everything from key destinations and existing conditions to bike share and crash data were taken into account.
WSP officials said because many of the city streets are [48 feet] wide, most of the work pertaining to creating a bicycle network can be done simply by painting or striping for bicycle lanes or sharrows as roadways are maintained or upgraded. Examples include recent work to Sunset and Fourth avenues and the ongoing Main Street Road Diet work. The priority will be to address the busier roadways and intersections.
The ‘Asbury Park Plan for Biking and Walking’ draft was unveiled during the Dec 12 City Council meeting. City officials expect to add the bike and pedestrian initiative to its master plan during a February or March Planning Board hearing, Manzella said. The master plan is the City’s comprehensive outline of its land use vision, officials said.
The comment period is open until Jan 11 and a form can be found at cityofasburypark.com/bikepedplan.
For more information, contact Michael Manzella via telephone at 732-502-5727 or by email at michael.manzella@cityofasurypark.com.
[Photos courtesy of City of Asbury Park APTV]
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