WEST WINDSOR A groundbreaking ceremony took place May 5 commemorating an agreement between Public Service Electric & Gas Co. and West Windsor for the PSE&G pedestrian and bike pathway.
When completed, the 8-foot-wide path will go from Rabbit Hill Road in the north to Conover Road in the south, connecting Community Park with Mercer County Park.
"This new path will make it easier and safer to access our township parks," Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh said in a news release. "Once construction of the path is complete, residents will be able to hike, jog and cycle from numerous access points along the path."
The pathway will be funded in part by a $100,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation. The township also received a $200,000 federal grant to fully fund building a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Big Bear Brook.
With design work already under way, Mayor Hsueh said he expects construction on the bridge to begin this summer.
The 50-year licensing agreement between the township and PSE&G provides for the construction of a wheelchair accessible pathway and bridge on a portion of the easement.
"This is truly a unique situation," said Don Tretola, regional public affairs manager for PSE&G. "We were able to work through a myriad of issues. Much of the credit belongs to the mayor. It was his leadership and commitment to this project that ensured its success."
The PSE&G easement follows what used to be the bed of the Trenton-New Brunswick Fast Line Trolley. The tracks were completed in 1902 and were torn out after service ended in 1937.

