Resident asks for details on Highlands Rail Trail Phase 2; county says route unchanged, start tentatively next year

A Wanakee (transcript spelling varies) resident asked commissioners for details on Phase 2 of the Highlands Rail Trail, raising concerns about the route, a planned crossing near the North Jersey Water Commission and pedestrian safety where the trail would meet Ringwood Avenue.

Christopher Hurd, a Wanakee resident, asked whether the Phase 2 timeline had been set, whether routes published on the Passaic County website had changed, and whether the trail would cross Ringwood Avenue near the North Jersey Water Commission. Hurd said he and other residents were concerned about pedestrian crossings, traffic interactions and a local pattern of U-turns in front of a first aid squad facility that could create safety conflicts with trail users.

A county official identified in the meeting as Director said Phase 2 is tentatively scheduled to begin next year and that the route has not changed from the maps posted on the county website. The director said the county is coordinating with the North Jersey Water Commission and the borough on pedestrian-safety measures at the crossing and that staff had recently received final appraisal reports; county staff will reach back out to affected property owners. The director acknowledged he and staff had met previously with the local first aid squad and said the county would discuss details with property owners and municipal officials after the meeting.

Hurd told commissioners he had only seen surveyors on his property two years earlier and had not received recent communications from the county. The director offered to have the county engineering project manager, Norden Murphy, speak with residents after the meeting for more detailed follow-up.

No formal action, vote or schedule amendment for Phase 2 was taken at the meeting; commissioners closed the public comment period after the exchange.