Union County Government : Union County To Be Awarded Grant For Rails To Trails Feasibility Study

Press release from the Union County Government:

July 8, 2021

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce that Union County has been awarded a $100,000 grant to support a new Rails-to-Trails Feasibility study by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT).

The Rails-to-Trails Feasibility Study was designed by the Union County Bureau of Transportation Planning to determine the steps necessary to convert the unused Central Railroad of New Jersey track to commuter friendly trails for cyclists and pedestrians. This railroad track lies between the Township of Cranford and the City of Elizabeth and is bordered by the Borough of Roselle Park and the Borough of Roselle.

“This grant is the first step in creating a new safe bike and pedestrian travel opportunity in Union County,” said Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The 3.52 mile long railroad track has been unused for over 50 years and the County Commissioners are excited to learn how we could convert it to become a valuable asset to this County.”

In addition to offering recreational opportunities, the transformation of this rail into a trail will support the redevelopment efforts of nearby communities and provide additional transportation alternatives between the Raritan Valley Line train station in Cranford and the Northeast Corridor station in Elizabeth.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

##

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

This press release was produced by the Union County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.