Long Branch Looks to Link East and West Sides of Train Station

By Christopher Sheldon

Long Branch officials are taking necessary steps to create a pedestrian connection between east and west sides of the Long Branch Train Station.

The Long Branch Council approved a resolution during its Tuesday night meeting that will allow the city to apply for a New Jersey Department of Transportation grant that will help fund the project.

Planning Consultant Dave Roberts said there is currently a wall separating Morris Avenue from crossing the train tracks and that the plan would be to "penetrate" it and create pedestrian access to the other side of street and the entrance to the train station.

The plan would involve building a walkway at, above or below the street level.

Roberts has said the city has been looking to complete the project but the funding was not available at the time. He said NJ Transit is always willing to work with the city to allow the project to occur, but was unwilling to commit money to it.

Designating the area as a Transit Village earlier this year allowed the city to apply for the NJDOT grant to help fund the project.