Burlington County recently unveiled a $30 million plan to extend the Rancocas Creek Greenway Trail across Route 130 and Rancocas Creek. The extended trail would link three parks to one another: Pennington Park in Delanco, Willingboro Lakes Park, and Rainbow Meadow Park in Delran.
The project isn’t just for efficiency—it’s being framed as a matter of public safety.
Route 130 has repeatedly been named NJ’s “most dangerous road for pedestrians” by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, according to NJ.com. Between 2019 and 2026, New Jersey Department of Transportation data shows 111 crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists, including 11 deaths.
“The deaths and injuries on Route 130 over the years are proof positive that more needs to be done to improve safety for all road users, especially pedestrians and cyclists,” said State Senator Troy Singleton, who co-sponsored 2018 legislation to reduce the speed limit on the highway following the death of 17-year-old Antwan Timbers Jr., who was struck by a car on the road in 2016.
The idea is to create a pedestrian pathway that’s removed from the dangers of the car-filled Route 130. This looks like a boardwalk-style path along the southbound embankment, running underneath the highway, connecting to a new pedestrian bridge across Rancocas Creek. Following the crossing, the trail would split into two paths—one via South Bridgeboro, Rancocas, and Clay streets to Rainbow Meadow Park, another via Route 130 and Lake Drive to Willingboro Lakes Park.
Alternative blueprints were considered, but planners ultimately selected this plan following a March meeting that evaluated safety, environmental impact, cost, and public input.
Final touches on planning and design are expected to wrap this fall. However, construction is still “several years away,” county spokesperson David Levinsky told the Inquirer.
The completed trail will add to the county’s extensive network, with the goal of an eventual path along the 30-mile stretch of Rancocas Creek to its source in Pemberton Township. “Mobility and accessibility are issues we care about deeply in Burlington County, so we are excited to take another step to extend our network of more than 50 miles of regional and interior park trails,” said Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel in a written statement.
This builds on more than $28 million already invested in earlier trail projects, including a completed 4-mile segment from Amico Island Park to Pennington Park that opened in 2022.
Questions, comments, concerns? The public is encouraged to weigh in. You can do so at a virtual meeting on August 26 at 5 p.m. Call in at 877-284-0719, using conference ID, 657 690 620# to make your voice heard.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
