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County engineer outlines 660-day Clark Reservoir dredging plan and updates bike/trail projects
Summary
County Engineer Rick Mateus said the Clark Reservoir dredging is expected to last about 660 days, dredged material will be stockpiled, drained and trucked off-site, the planned fishing pier is not included at present, and the county's Safe Streets and Roads for All plan is about 70% complete with a bicycle master plan update underway.
County Engineer Rick Mateus provided technical responses to residents' questions about the Clark Reservoir project and gave status updates on county bicycle and trail planning.
On dredging, Mateus said hours of operation are set by municipal code and typically coordinated with local police; the contractor will stockpile dredged debris within the reservoir, allow it to drain and then haul it off-site for disposal. "The project length right now is anticipated to be 660 days," he said. He added the originally proposed fishing pier is not part of the current concept plan because of difficulties securing necessary Department of Environmental Protection approvals.
On buffer and parking concerns raised by residents, Mateus said there have been no changes to the 50-foot buffer shown in initial plans and noted survey stakes may be offset from immediate work areas to avoid damage; he said parking counts are shown on the concept plan posted to the county website but that overflow sometimes occurs and will require coordination with the Township of Clark.
On countywide bicycle and trail work, Mateus said the county's Safe Streets and Roads for All planning effort — conducted with consultant WSP — is roughly 70% complete with a targeted final draft around Christmas or in January. He confirmed an update to the county bicycle master plan is in progress and that some projects, including Westfield bike-lane requests and rail‑to‑trail conversions, are tied to completion of the countywide policy work and further reviews with NJDOT or Conrail where applicable.
Residents and cycling advocates asked the board to install MUTCD‑approved signage to support New Jersey's 2022 'safe passing' law (NJSA Title 39). John Pisco, president of All On Cycling Club, told the board that the law calls for drivers to give at least four feet when passing vulnerable road users and urged county action to post signs that increase driver awareness.
Mateus recommended finalizing the Safe Streets plan and bicycle master plan to guide specific installations and policy decisions; he said the county would continue coordination with municipalities, NJDOT and other partners on standards and implementation.
