The Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation has received a $148,505 grant from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.
The grant is earmarked for the design the Cleveland Road section, the final segment of the 20-mile Lawrence Hopewell Trail. With four other projects already underway, the LHTC aims to complete the trail loop by the end of 2026.
The Cleveland Road segment in Hopewell Township will stretch for about a half mile, linking segments in Hopewell and Lawrence Townships. This project will improve safety for all trail users by creating a multi-use path separated from vehicle traffic on Cleveland Road suitable for walkers, runners, and bicyclists.
As ongoing projects advance on either side, the LHT will extend from the Mount Rose Preserve on Carter Road to the existing connection on Province Line Road.
The LHTC will work with the property owner and the two municipalities to develop a request for proposal (RFP) for publication in the fall of 2024. Bid requirements include ensuring a cohesive design that enhances the LHT user experience and connectivity. Preliminary designs are on file.
The goal is to complete the Cleveland Road design phase by early 2025, followed by regulatory review and construction. If sufficient funding is secured, construction of the Cleveland Road segment could be completed by late 2025 or early 2026.
The LHTC has a long history of working collaboratively to develop the LHT with multiple community interests and partners.
“We are immensely grateful to the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission for this grant, showing their continuing commitment to our project,” said David Sandahl, board chair of the LHTC. “Thanks to their support, an inspired idea has evolved as a treasured community asset that benefits thousands each year.”
For more information about the Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation and its ongoing projects, visit lhtrail.org or contact info@lhtrail.org.
The Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation is a volunteer-driven non-profit organization dedicated to developing and maintaining the Lawrence Hopewell Trail, funded almost entirely by private donations and grants.
The 20-mile multi-use trail connects various points of interest in Lawrence and Hopewell Townships, New Jersey. The LHTC is a member of the Circuit Trails, a vast regional network of hundreds of miles of multi-use trails.
