Toms River residents are invited to join town officials at two upcoming workshops and give input to their bike and pedestrian plan.

The workshops will identify problem areas, issues and opportunities for bike and pedestrian travel in Toms River.

They will also include a visioning exercise for more safe bicycling and walking, as well as specific goals to support these modes of travel around the community.

Members of the Steering Committee, along with consultants from NV5 and Stokes Creative Group, Inc., will conduct two visioning workshops to inform the public about the study and solicit input.

“The goal is to make our town’s bike paths and trails more user-friendly, more accessible, and safer for our residents,” Mayor Tom Kelaher said. “We are encouraging residents to give us their feedback on what changes or improvements they envision.

Once completed, this plan will comprehensively identify opportunities to create, enhance, and expand walking and bicycling facilities throughout the township – as well as outline recommendations for the township to implement future transportation investments.

The bicycle and pedestrian plan will be developed during the winter and spring and is expected to be completed by July.

It's just part of Toms River's plan to redevelopment the downtown area and other parts of the township in need of improvement or upgrades for one of Ocean County's most populated towns.

Toms River was awarded a $5,660,000.00 grant, from the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Grants program, to create a loop between the Garden State Parkway and waterfront businesses by elevating and reconstructing Herflicker Boulevard as a one-way complete street, converting Water Street into a one-way complete street and make improvements and upgrades on connecting roads.

This project's goal is to improve traffic circulation, reduce the number of turning movements at intersections, add pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, improve traffic movement and reduce the number of accidents.

Toms River was also selected to participate in the NJ Department of Transportation’s Office of Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs Local Technical Assistance Program.

They're working with NJDOT and its consultant, NV5 with a sub consultant Stokes Creative Group, on a Town-wide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan along the mainland.

The plan will create, enhance and expand walking and bicycling facilities throughout the township.

The first Bike and Pedestrian Safety workshop will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 from 6:00- 9:00 pm at the Toms River High School East cafeteria.

The second workshop will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at the Toms River High School North media center.

The public will be continuously engaged during this project through Steering Committee efforts, as well as the official project website at www.TomsRiverBikePed.com.

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