Morris Leader

The Pompton Valley Rail Trail, previously known as the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway Bicycle and Pedestrian Shared Use Path, is now partially accessible to the public. The project is still under construction, with full completion expected by late winter or early spring 2025.

This 4.8-mile trail project is funded federally and led by Morris County and the Morris County Park Commission. It aims to convert an abandoned railway into a non-motorized recreational path from Pequannock Township in Morris County to Wayne Township in Passaic County. Construction began in June 2022 after years of planning and design.

Morris County Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw stated, “Transforming this corridor into a community asset and preserving its historical character as a rail line has been a rewarding challenge.” He added that they are excited about opening the trail for residents and visitors to enjoy both natural and urban landscapes safely.

Currently, the section north of the Pompton River crossing is open to the public, though some finishing touches are pending. However, fabrication issues with railings for the Pompton River Bridge and an elevated path south of Ryerson Avenue have delayed the opening of the southern portion in Wayne Township. The community is advised not to cross these areas due to safety concerns without railings.

Once completed, the trail will feature a 10-foot-wide paved surface starting at River Drive in Pequannock near Route 23. It will connect with Aquatic Park and extend south to Mountainview Boulevard near NJ Transit’s Mountain View rail station in Wayne.

Safety improvements have been made at intersections with active roadways. These include advanced warning signs, painted alerts on roads and trails, detectable warning surfaces for visually impaired users, ADA-accessible features where feasible along the trail, and Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons at key intersections like Alexander Avenue, Jackson Avenue, and Newark-Pompton Turnpike.

Despite these enhancements for visibility and warnings at crossings, users are encouraged to stop fully and look both ways before crossing any intersection.

For inquiries about construction details of the trail, contact Morris County’s Department of Engineering. For general maintenance questions regarding completed sections, reach out to the Morris County Park Commission.