The Hopewell Township council voted to endorse constructing a crosswalk at the Carter Road crossing on the trail.
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP -- The Hopewell Township council this week voted unanimously to endorse constructing a pedestrian path with flashing traffic signals at the Carter Road crossing on the Lawrence Hopewell Trail (LHT).
The LHT loops through Lawrence and Hopewell Township. Carter Road is in the Hopewell section of the trail.
LHT Co-President Eleanor Horne said the crosswalk will feature - as suggested by the county engineer - rectangular rapid flash beacons (RRFBs), which when activated by trail users by way of a button, signals drivers to slow down and stop for pedestrians crossing Carter Road.
"Studies have shown that RRFBs significantly increase driver yielding behavior," Horne said.
Horne said on and near the crosswalk will also be cautionary signs for both drivers and pedestrians on the trail.
Horne said she and Co-President Becky Taylor have been working on the plan to construct the crosswalk for the past few years. They reached a final consensus on the plan with the county engineer in November 2014.
"Like so much of the development of the LHT, the action taken Monday night is an example of what can happen when thoughtful officials, professional experts and lay community members with a vision come together to reach consensus on the best way to ensure safety and support (on) the development of an incredible community amenity," Horne said.
Council members endorsed the plan on March 28 after first rejecting it for further consideration at its March 14 meeting.
In June 2015, the 22-mile, $9 million LHT was marked 85 percent complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Horne said LHT members have been working on the trail since 2002.
Lindsay Rittenhouse may be reached at lrittenhouse@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook.