NJDOT presents Route 47 safety, bike‑pedestrian upgrades to Millville; seeks city resolution of support

The New Jersey Department of Transportation presented preliminary engineering plans for safety and bicycle‑pedestrian improvements along Route 47 in Millville and asked the Millville City Commission to consider a resolution of support for the project.

The presentation to the commission, led by Kimberly Nance of NJDOT’s Office of Government and Community Relations and project manager Arpita Upadhyay, described a corridor upgrade from Mile Post 39.23 at Henderson Avenue north to Mile Post 41.93 at High Street covering roughly 2.7 miles. "This project started as a concept development study for pedestrian and bike safety and intersection improvements," Upadhyay said.

The project aims to fill missing sidewalks, upgrade curb ramps for ADA compliance, improve crosswalks and signing and stripe bicycle facilities where roadway width allows. Consultant engineer Mike Kyler of NV5 said the design anticipates varying typical sections: some stretches would receive a 4‑ or 5‑foot bicycle lane with buffer, while narrower areas would use shared‑lane markings and signage. At the project’s northern end, designs call for a northbound dedicated bike lane; southbound cyclists would be routed onto High Street and then Foundry Street.

Why it matters: Route 47 (Second Street) runs through central Millville and carries multiple modes of traffic. The DOT said the corridor segment includes about 27 intersections, six signalized intersections and three railroad crossings; posted speeds range from 25 to 45 mph. The presentation said the work is intended to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, reduce vehicle‑pedestrian conflicts and upgrade signal equipment to current MUTCD standards.

Key decisions and local input: DOT representatives said an earlier concept had proposed closing Vine Street to accommodate a bus pullout and bus facility, but city input led the team to remove the closure from this design. "It's gonna remain open," Kyler said when asked to confirm Vine Street access would be preserved. The team also expects to coordinate with Winchester & Western Railroad (now OmniTRAX) and NJ Transit on crossings and bus stops.

Permits, right‑of‑way and schedule: The DOT team identified several anticipated environmental and regulatory clearances, including compliance with New Jersey stormwater management rules, freshwater wetlands permitting (permit number cited as 10), water‑quality certifications, flood hazard area individual permits, State Historic Preservation Office review, possible Green Acres review, and a potential NJDEP CAFRA review depending on impacts. The presentation noted some drainage basins or sidewalk segments may require permanent easements, temporary construction easements, or, in limited cases, permanent fee parcels. The schedule presented shows preliminary engineering continuing through spring 2026, final design from mid‑2026 through 2028, and construction anticipated to begin in early 2029.

Funding and history: Presenters said the project began as a concept development effort in 2018 with the concept development (CD) phase completed in 2021; work paused previously because of funding constraints and has since resumed in the preliminary engineering phase. The DOT said the next step includes holding a public information center for the preliminary engineering phase and preparing categorical exclusion environmental documents before advancing to final design.

Local reaction and next steps: Commissioners asked for flexibility on the timing for any resolution of support; DOT staff said the requested date was flexible. No members of the public spoke during the meeting’s public comment period on the project. The commission did not take formal action on the presentation during the work session; DOT staff left the commission with a request for a resolution of support to advance the project as designed and to confirm the city’s preferences on localized elements such as the Vine Street access.

Ending: DOT staff said they will return with public outreach materials during the PE phase and advance environmental reviews; final design and construction timing will be contingent on permits, right‑of‑way needs and funding.