To the editor:
I am an active hiker and a resident of Upper Freehold Township in Monmouth County.
The Union Transportation Trail, which is part of a network of linear parks or “rails to trails,” is a very popular concept that has been widely accepted throughout the country.
The partially completed trail currently ends at Davis Station Road. Instead of the trail continuing forward on the permanent easement established in 1998 specifically for recreational trail use, it appears that the trail is being diverted to follow a route along Davis Station Road and along Route 539 where it will be within about 10 feet from the road.
There have been horrific accidents along the stretch of Route 539 where this trail is being diverted. There is an extraordinary volume of truck traffic with the trucks traveling at high rates of speed along this stretch of roadway, and the trail diversion seems to be a recipe for disaster.
Primarily hikers, horseback riders and bicyclers use the recreational trail. Has there been any consideration that families will not have the expectation to let their children wander a few feet in front of them in fulfillment of the rails to trails concept?
Riders and their horses on the trail will definitely get “spooked” by the traffic traveling at speeds in excess of 50+ mph. Current laws in sections of Upper Freehold Township state that vehicular traffic must slow to 25 mph when horseback riders are present. Will that happen on this busy stretch of road with the presence of horses?
Why is the trail being diverted off the serene permanent right of way, which was granted to the Monmouth County Park System more than a decade ago and relocated to an inevitably doomed location?
I am fearful to think of not only the possible scenarios, but of the probable scenarios when such an extreme and direct conflict between heavy truck traffic and recreational trail users will exist.
Ray Chiste
Upper Freehold Township

