Highland Park Getting Bike Lanes In 2025

HIGHLAND PARK, NJ — In news that most residents will welcome, the borough of Highland Park is getting dedicated bike lanes, but they will not be installed until 2025.

The bike lanes will be installed on N. 8th Avenue and Magnolia/Benner streets, announced Rep. Frank Pallone on Monday, Aug. 5. Pallone is the Democratic congressman who represents Highland Park in Washington.

These streets, which parallel Raritan Avenue (state highway Rt. 27), are also set to be converted to one-way traffic, he said.

When will the bike lanes be installed? That depends when the funding is approved in Washington. Pallone said he secured $850,000 in federal community project funding, requested by Pallone in the fiscal year 2025 annual spending bill.

Congress must come to an agreement on the spending bills, which is expected at the end of this year. If that goes smoothly, the money should become available in the first half of next year (2025).

The Highland Park Police Department has documented long-standing speeding issues on N. 8th Avenue, said said Highland Park Mayor Elsie Foster. The installation of dedicated buffered bicycle lanes will help to calm traffic and improve safety, both she and the congressman said.

Highland Park resident Alan Shapiro said he welcomes the bike lanes.

"As someone who frequently walks North 8th Ave for exercise, I have noticed some serious problems with pedestrian safety," he said. "I have brought these concerns to the attention of the mayor, council and the Highland Park Police Department. All departments have been extremely responsive. I'm appreciative for the steps they've taken to date to address these concerns."

"But I do know that more can be done," he added.

"We are delighted to learn of this significant federal allocation for our road safety improvements," said Foster. "We take pedestrian and bicyclist safety very seriously in our town and we are proud to have a very active Safe Walking and Cycling Committee that works with us on addressing the challenges we face in this area. This federal allocation will go a very long way in making some of our busiest streets safer."