Montgomery Township Committee Weighs Pedestrian Connectivity Options to Municipal Center

March 18, 2025

By Nicholas Mistretta

MONTGOMERY, NJ – March 6, 2024 – The Montgomery Township Committee discussed potential pedestrian connectivity routes linking the municipal complex to the town center. Township Engineer Mark Herrmann and Open Space & Stewardship Director Lauren Wasilauski presented four proposed options for the long-term project, highlighting costs, environmental impacts, and logistical challenges.

Herrmann began with a brief history of pedestrian pathway developments following the opening of the new municipal building in June 2022. Since then, approximately half a mile of sidewalk has been installed, connecting Bridgepoint Road to Community Drive. Additionally, the township has collaborated with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) to upgrade the traffic signal at Route 206 for safer pedestrian crossings, with completion expected this spring.

Further connectivity efforts will come with the construction of an affordable housing complex by developer RPM adjacent to the municipal building. That project will feature a pathway looping around the complex and linking to the existing Community Drive sidewalk. Meanwhile, the township’s Parks and Recreation Department is planning an inclusive playground at the municipal center.

The township’s ultimate goal is to connect the municipal complex to the heart of town at the Route 206/518 intersection, improving pedestrian access to key destinations such as the Montgomery Shopping Center and Village Walk. Additionally, officials are working on plans to link the municipal center to local schools with an estimated mile of new sidewalks.

Crossing Bedens Brook: A Major Challenge
Wasilauski underscored the primary obstacle in creating a continuous pedestrian route: crossing Bedens Brook. The good news, she noted, is that the township has already secured a $3 million grant to support the construction of the pathways.

The four proposed options vary in cost, distance, and environmental impact:

Option 1: Suffolk Drive to Tapestry ($5 million)
– Distance: 1–2.5 miles
– Requires shortest bridge span but disturbs environmentally sensitive land
– Would necessitate acquiring easements from Tapestry and Pavilions developments

Option 2: Hillside to Montgomery Ridge ($5.7 million)
– Distance: 1–3.3 miles
– Requires a bridge crossing and impacts sensitive land
– Easement acquisition needed from Hillside and Montgomery Ridge

Option 3: Hillside to 23 Orchard ($7.8 million)
– Distance: 1.3–3.3 miles
– Most expensive due to the length of the bridge required
– Similar environmental concerns and easement needs as Options 1 and 2

Option 4: Route 206 Pathway ($3.2 million)
– Distance: 1.3–2 miles
– Least expensive and least environmentally disruptive
– Uses existing bridge infrastructure
– Eligible for the most grant funding
– Preferred by the Transportation Advisory Committee and Open Space Committee

Options 1, 2, and 3 all require the construction of a new bridge over Bedens Brook, making them more costly and environmentally complex. Option 4, which runs along Route 206, avoids these challenges, making it the most viable in terms of cost and feasibility.

Next Steps
Herrmann concluded the presentation by outlining the next steps, which include seeking direction from the Township Committee on a preferred route, contracting for conceptual planning, obtaining necessary permits, and beginning the bidding process. Public information sessions will also be held to gather community input.