OCEAN COUNTY – The Barnegat Branch Trail will now be connected over Cedar Creek, connecting the trail between Berkeley and Lacey Townships. When complete, the Barnegat Branch Trail will reach from Barnegat Township all the way to Toms River Township.
Ocean County officials recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the trail connection at the new trestle that sits above Cedar Creek. The trestle provides the connection to the existing 2.75 mile trail from the Cedar Creek to Hickory Lane in Berkeley Township.
“This is a key connection on the Barnegat Branch Trail,” said Ocean County Freeholder Director Virginia E. Haines, who is Chairwoman of the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation. “This trail is becoming a true recreational and historical centerpiece. It is well traveled by walkers, joggers and bicyclists…It provides a host of benefits not the least of which is being outside in the fresh air and enjoying nature’s beauty.”
Present at the ribbon cutting was also Freeholder Gary Quinn, Berkeley Township Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr., Lacey Township Mayor Timothy McDonald along with staff from Ocean County’s Planning Department, Engineering Department and Parks and Recreation Department.
The new trestle is a 150-foot prefabricated weathered steel span extending over the width of Cedar Creek. Work on the trestle project began earlier this year. According to officials, the trestle is the longest clear span of any of the county’s bridges.
“The placement of the new trestle above some of the pilings of the original trestle allowed the county to maintain some of the historical features of the area while providing a safe path of travel for trail users,” Haines said.
Prior to installation, it was shipped in two 75-feet sections. It
The trestle was constructed in Alabama, later making its way to Ocean County in two 75-foot sections on trailers.
This phase of the trail construction also includes the creation of the 10 foot wide stone dust trail on the Lacey township side, creating a formal parking lot at Hebrew Park and installing interpretive signage, benches, a railroad hand car display and picnic tables.
“This section offer residents and visitors better access to Cedar Creek – an environmental jewel in the County,” Haines said.
[adrotate banner="278"]This phase of the work also included an almost half mile section and extended from South Street at Hebrew Park to the Cedar Creek.
When done the linear park will span about 16 miles.
“This trail and the ongoing work to move it to completion truly complements Ocean County’s open space program,” Haines said. “The trail represents a great part of our history. It protects our environment and it highlights areas of the County many residents may never have been able to access.”
