Complete Streets Sussex - Eric Snyder

Complete Streets SummitOctober 21, 2013

Key Findings• There is a general support for consideration of complete streets “where

appropriate.” Not all streets need sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes to accommodate complete streets in a rural context.

• Priority should be given to completing “missing links” in the sidewalk infrastructure. Connecting low-income and/or low mobility populations to shopping, schools and other services should also be prioritized.

• Bike accommodations should be strategically placed to link parks, trails and other recreational facilities and stay “off-road” wherever practicable.

• Safer trail crossings, and better linkages between recreational areas and nearby businesses is important to tourism.

• Initial and life-cycle cost was a major concern related to complete streets infrastructure. In addition, the responsible party for general maintenance (snow shoveling and weeding) of sidewalks caused apprehension.

• Communities should weigh the long term cost of not providing safe pedestrian/bicycle accommodation against initial capital cost (e.g. bussing students that could otherwise walk if safe accommodations were present).

• Complete Streets is a key component to the healthier communities initiative, critical for tourism, and important to retaining and attracting young residents.

Stakeholder Meetings

Transect-Based Implementation Planning

•Street Typology Plan

• Developed using public input from June 17 community meeting.

• Roadway types and design features reflect local desires and priorities.

• Roadway functions were articulated and desired operating speeds identified.

• Local examples identified.


Street Typology Draft – Sussex County Typology Workshop


Street Overlay Draft – Sussex County Typology Workshop

Street Types Identified & Function• Rural Highway A – long distance travel.

• Rural Highway B – thru traffic/land access.

• Rural Highway C – urban edge development.

• Main Street – mixed use, walking-oriented.

• Residential (Traditional) – grid development.

• Residential (Subdivision) – low/moderate density.

• County Connector – connects state highways.

• Trails & Greenways.


Typology: Rural Highway C urban edge development

Route 23, Franklin Borough

Typology: Main Streetmixed use, walking-oriented.

Spring Street

Typology: County Connector

Limecrest Road

Special Overlay Zones• Destination Streets.

• Village and Hamlet.

• School Zone/Trail Connector.

• Lake Street/Family-friendly.

• Scenic/Historical Highway.

• Natural Preservation Zone.

• Transit Stop.


Overlay: Lake Street

Initial policy and design recommendations

– All of the planning in this effort emphasizes specific contexts. There are no Madisons in Sussex County nor is it Monmouth.

– Lake streets were identified as a priority for traffic calming.

– Creating better connections to and between recreational trails was identified as a priority.

– Destination streets were identified as points of civic pride (Spring Street, Newton).


Challenges• Fast, left-turning traffic

• No third crosswalk

• Deteriorated physical condition of crosswalks

Strengths• Traditional town main street

designed for both pedestrians and motorists

• Proximity to destinations and employment

• Pedestrian signals and signage

Town of Newton

Route 206 - Main St. and Spring St.

1. Paint crosswalk on third leg of intersection.

2. Provide pedestrians a dedicated walk signal at this third crosswalk.

3. Install signage with wording similar to “Town of Newton is a Pedestrian- Friendly City” to stress to motorists the presence of pedestrians on Spring St.

Low Investment Strategies

Town of Newton

Route 206 and Spring St.

Town of Newton

Medium Investment Strategies1. Color unit pavers or

tinted concrete crosswalks.

2. Textured roadway surfaces approaching crosswalks for visual, audible, and vibratory alerts to motorists.

Route 206 and Spring St.

Route 519 from Water Street/Route 206 to North Park Drive

Challenges• Inconsistent pedestrian facilities• Lack of sidewalks in northern half• Gaps in sidewalks in southern half• Obstacles on east side of Route 519

where sidewalk could be built• Multiple, wide driveways

Strengths• Several generators of pedestrian

activity• Flat terrain and space in right-of-way

for sidewalks• Existing transit service

Town of Newton

Route 519 – from Water Street/Route 206 to North Park DriveMedium Investment Strategy

Town of Newton

• Build a consistent sidewalk from Swartswood Road to Project Self Sufficiency.

Example for Park Drive: Build sidewalks around the obstacles

Route 607/Hopatchung Rd/River Styx Rd from North River Styx Rd to Brooklyn Stanhope Rd

Challenges• Tight rights-of-way and no shoulders

in some areas• Limited sight distances• Inconsistent sidewalks• Seasonal higher traffic volumes

Strengths• Commercial destinations along the

road• Scenic road in spots, with lake

destinations

Hopatcong Borough

• Alternatives to full sidewalk installation that keep a semi-rural feel

• Create safe pedestrian spaces next to the road

Low Investment Strategy

Replace with new photo with crosswalks

Bucks County, PA

Portland, ORRolled curb

Rock separation between path and road

River Styx Road - North Segment

Lake Context:

Route 669/Limecrest Road fromSkytop Road to Long Pond School

Challenges• No sidewalks or paths

• Tight right-of-way with narrow shoulders

• Short sight distances

Strengths• Adjacent to natural

preservation area

• Close to a residential area

Andover Township

Andover Township


Medium Investment Strategy• Use Township of Andover land easement on

Limecrest Road across from Broadview Drive to provide off- road trail link to the school.

Andover Township


1. Sussex Branch Trail

2. Paulinskill Valley Trail

3. L&NE Trail

Challenges• Trails cross several major roads

• Low visibility of trail crossings from vehicles

• Fast-moving traffic

• No warnings of upcoming trail crossings for motorists in some instances

Sid Taylor Road and Route 206

Route 94 W of Route 15

Trail Crossing Improvements

• Painted crosswalks• Pedestrian refuge medians• Pedestrian-activated

overhead signal• Signs in advance of the

crossing

Give motorists warnings!

Trail CrossingsStrategies

Mid-block pedestrian refugePedestrian activated signals

Trail Crossings: Strategies

Thank You!

Complete Streets Sussex - Eric Snyder

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