State funding moves goal of unified bike paths closer
By: Paul Koepp
Bikers will have a smoother ride through Monmouth Junction and Kingston thanks to improvements to the Freedom Trial Bikeway, although plans to link the two sections with an overpass across Route 1 are still on hold.
The township has received $75,000 in state grants for paving and tree removal of the bike path between New and Ridge roads in Monmouth Junction, and along the Mapleton Preserve in Kingston. In addition, a parking lot will be constructed at the bike path’s junction with Ridge Road.
The funding from the state Department of Transportation will move the township closer to its goal of providing a network of bike paths throughout the township, according to township spokesman Ron Schmalz.
He said the township would discuss with the DOT at an upcoming meeting the possibility of linking the two parts of the path with a bridge over Route 1 for bikers and pedestrians. The overpass could be part of a package of DOT improvements to the township’s section of Route 1, Mr. Schmalz said.

