A nearly $1 million state transportation grant will fund construction of a key missing segment of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail (LHT), advancing progress on completing the 20-mile loop that connects Hopewell and Lawrence townships.
In December, the New Jersey Department of Transportation awarded Hopewell Township a $944,000 construction grant through its 2025 Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside program to build an off-road section of the trail along Cleveland Road. Township officials announced the award publicly last week.
“This nearly $1 million investment from NJDOT is a tremendous win for Hopewell Township and our residents,” Mayor David Chait said in a statement. “Completing the Cleveland Road segment of the LHT will enhance safety, connectivity, and quality of life, while advancing our commitment to sustainable transportation and recreation.”
The Cleveland Road project will add a new, separated pedestrian and bicycle path running parallel to a narrow, winding roadway that trail advocates describe as unsafe for walkers and cyclists. The segment, just under a half-mile long, will connect Hopewell Township’s portion of the trail to a planned segment in Lawrence Township near Pretty Brook Road, closing an important gap near the township border.
Part of a Larger Trail Network
The LHT is a regional, off-road recreational and transportation loop that ultimately will create a loop through Hopewell Township, Lawrence Township and nearby areas. While much of the trail is already complete and in use, four remaining segments — including Cleveland Road — must still be built to close the loop.
According to David Sandahl, board chair of the LHT, the Cleveland Road segment is one of the most safety-critical portions of the remaining work.
“It’s a narrow road with sharp turns at both the top and bottom of the hill,” Sandahl said in an interview. “Even experienced cyclists avoid it. This project creates a safe, off-road alternative for walkers and riders.”
Sandahl said the LHT team worked with the Township to prepare the grant application and previously secured regional funding to complete the engineering and environmental design work for the segment. The LHT works with municipalities on all aspects of the trail because of the nature of public and private lands involved. For this project Hopewell Twp. will oversee the bidding and construction phase once the regulatory approvals are complete. Aspects of this project have been underway for more than a year.
One of Several Final Segments
The Cleveland Road section is one of several interconnected projects still underway:
- A Pretty Brook Road segment in Lawrence Township is fully designed and funded but awaiting right-of-way agreements.
- A longer Mount Rose East segment crossing preserved land in Hopewell Township remains in design and permitting.
- Another short section near Mount Rose Preserve requires additional approvals.
Together, these segments represent the final major pieces needed to complete the loop, though the exact timing of when funding and approvals are in place to complete the projects remain a question.
Regional Support and Oversight
Deputy Mayor Uma Purandare said the Cleveland Road grant reflects state recognition of the trail’s broader value.
“The Lawrence Hopewell Trail is a cherished regional asset, and this funding brings us one step closer to completing a critical segment of the trail,” Purandare said in the township’s release. “We are grateful to NJDOT for recognizing the value of projects that strengthen our community and connect people to the places they live, work, and enjoy.”
The Transportation Alternatives program, established by Congress in 2012, funds community-based projects that support walking, biking and non-motorized transportation. New Jersey awarded 43 grants statewide in the 2025 cycle, totaling $47.4 million.
For trail advocates, the Cleveland Road project represents incremental but meaningful progress.
“We are delighted that our work with Hopewell Twp. will fund construction of another key segment of the LHT,” Sandahl said. He added that any time a segment moves towards completion it strengthens the overall trail system, improves safety, and moves the project closer to completion in an effort that is complex and very collaborative across many public and private groups.
