PENNSAUKEN-MERCHANTVILLE MULTIUSE TRAIL

THE CHALLENGE

Pennsauken Township received a Transportation Alternatives grant for the construction of this trail segment. The project extends the Camden Active Trail Network by utilizing vacant and blighted railroad right-of-way to create additional recreational opportunities, encourage alternative modes of transportation, and provide connections to nearby destinations.

HOW WE HELPED

McCormick Taylor was selected by Pennsauken as the Design Assistance Engineer under the NJDOT Local Aid Design Assistance program. A 12-foot-wide multi-use path was designed extending the existing Merchantville Bike Path east of Cover Road to the railroad trestle over the NJ Transit Atlantic City line. The path includes a new trail crossing at Cove Road with a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon and a four-foot-wide concrete sidewalk with ADA curb ramps and striped crosswalks along Cove Road in both directions. Other amenities include decorative lighting, rest areas with benches and trash receptacles, and pet waste disposal stations along the path. We also designed linear infiltration swales along the trail to address stormwater management requirements.

RESULTS

This extension is part of the Burlington-Camden trail. The trail increases the accessibility and awareness of the trail for Pennsauken residents, who may not otherwise have availed themselves of this transportation alternative. It will also allow Merchantville residents to ride or walk to nearby destinations in Pennsauken. The project complements Merchantville’s efforts to revitalize the downtown and attract more activity and visitors into Pennsauken and Merchantville’s business districts, with a potential to link to adjacent communities in the future. Future segments will continue to expand upon this successful project to connect neighboring communities and the region.