Some Folks Can Now Walk to the New Montgomery Library and Municipal Center off Orchard Road

Posted August 10, 2023

Montgomery Township officials announced the creation of sidewalks, crosswalks, and new bike lanes making it possible for local folks to walk or bike to the township's new municipal center and public library off Orchard Road near Route 206.

The Montgomery Township Committee worked to set aside capital improvement funds and secured outside grants for pedestrian safety improvements. The NJ Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded almost $380,000, which is covering nearly 80 percent of the project costs.

Montgomery Township Committee members and staff celebrated completion of the main phase of the Orchard Road Improvement Project with a ribbon cutting at a new crosswalk. Photo courtesy of Montgomery Township.

Participating in the ribbon cutting were Montgomery Township Deputy Mayor Neena Singh, committee members Vince Barragan and Patricia Todd, and township staff, including Township Engineer Mark Herrmann and other members of the engineering and administration departments.

Deputy Mayor Neena Singh commented, “Montgomery continues to build out safe linkages for our residents to our municipal center and state-of-the-art library. We are focused on pedestrian / bike safety and ease of access for our residents. My hope is that we will all enjoy the benefits of a more walkable community!"

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Engineer Mark Herrmann described the broader purpose of the project: “It is important to encourage healthy habits and multimodal access to public facilities. Building this pedestrian route and establishing initial bicycle accommodations will help us meet these goals. These are some of the building blocks needed to open the possibilities of future connections to the public schools, Skillman Park, residential neighborhoods, surrounding businesses, and other local attractions.”

The sidewalk starts at Community Drive and connects to the sidewalk across Route 206 to Bridgepoint Road. Upon completion of NJDOT work, it will connect 175 households within neighborhoods to the east. The new sidewalk also has a crosswalk to Autumn Lane and extends to the bus stop on Route 206 just south of Orchard Road.

A resident who walked by the ribbon cutting said, “The new sidewalk on Orchard Road looks really nice. Adults and kids can go to the municipal building and library safely, instead of walking on the road. Great job!!”

The roadway section of Orchard Road from Route 206 past the municipal center up to 88 Orchard has also been repaired and resurfaced, as well as striping painted to add bicycle lane segments.

Montgomery Township engineers are actively working with NJDOT to modify the Route 206/Orchard Road traffic signal and to add needed ramps, crosswalks, and other pedestrian provisions in order to be able to open the final leg of the project—a safe Route 206 crossing point for those on bike or foot.