The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors convened on December 11, 2023, to discuss significant developments in transportation planning and infrastructure improvements within the township. The meeting focused on a comprehensive multimodal transportation study aimed at enhancing safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.

The session began with a presentation on an online mapping tool called Wiki Mapping, which allows residents to provide feedback on their travel experiences and identify issues within the township. This tool has been instrumental in gathering data on community preferences regarding key locations such as parks and retail areas.

Following this, the committee highlighted various concerns raised by the public, including issues related to existing parking, street maintenance, trail connections, vehicle speeds, and missing crosswalks and sidewalk segments. The study aims to quantify these concerns and assign costs to potential improvements.

A toolbox of solutions was introduced, featuring a range of icons representing different types of infrastructure enhancements, from standard sidewalks to larger structures like bridges and tunnels. The mapping exercise identified specific locations for these improvements, with particular focus on Business Route 1 and the Woodburn Quarter, where photo simulations illustrated potential changes to improve traffic flow and pedestrian access.

The report presented a detailed breakdown of costs associated with the proposed improvements, totaling approximately $27.6 million across twelve identified areas. It was emphasized that these costs would not be incurred all at once but could be phased over several years, allowing for strategic planning and funding opportunities.

The township's approach to funding these projects includes leveraging partnerships and grants, with a history of successfully obtaining financial support for similar initiatives. The report serves as a strategic tool for the township to align its capital budget with available grants and private redevelopment projects, ensuring that necessary improvements are integrated into future developments.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored Middletown Township's commitment to enhancing its transportation infrastructure through a collaborative and data-driven approach, positioning the township to effectively address community needs and secure funding for future projects.