A decade of planning officially shifted into high gear on Friday as federal, state, and local officials gathered to break ground on the Camden County LINK Trail. The ambitious $108 million project is set to create a 34-mile “spine” of multi-use pathways, stretching from the urban skyline of the Delaware River to the pristine nature of the Pine Barrens.
The groundbreaking marks a major milestone for a project that has undergone years of feasibility studies and public hearings. Commissioner Jeffrey Nash, liaison to the Camden County Parks Department, described the event as a “truly historic day.”
“The LINK Trail will provide residents throughout Camden County with access to passive recreation and enable them a safe and scenic path to walk, bike, or run throughout our beautiful county,” Nash said.
The trail is designed to be a transformative piece of infrastructure, connecting:
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Urban Centers: Starting at the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in Camden City.
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Suburban Hubs: Cutting through several downtown business districts.
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Rural Landscapes: Ending at the Atlantic County line in lower Winslow Township.
The project received a significant boost from the federal government, including $13.6 million delivered through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Congressman Donald Norcross emphasized that the trail is more than just a path; it is an economic and community driver.
“This project will connect communities, support local businesses, and give families more opportunities to walk, run, and bike outdoors,” Norcross noted.
Beyond its recreational value, the trail is being built with the future of the environment in mind. The current phase of construction will utilize porous asphalt, a specialized material that allows rainwater to penetrate the surface directly, significantly reducing stormwater runoff.
The initial $3 million segment of construction will focus on a one-mile stretch connecting Merchant Street in Audubon to Station Avenue in Haddon Heights.
Local leaders are already praising the immediate benefits:
- Safe Routes to School: Haddon Heights Mayor Zach Houck pointed out that Atlantic Avenue Elementary School sits in the heart of this segment, providing families with a safer commute.
- Community Bonds: Audubon Mayor Rob Jakubowski highlighted the new “walking connection” between neighboring towns.
The LINK Trail is not an isolated path. It will serve as a vital component of the Circuit Trails Network, a massive footprint of interconnected trails spanning nine counties across New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
“The Camden County LINK Trail will serve as a crucial spine… linking New Jersey downtowns to the Ben Franklin Bridge and into Philadelphia,” Justin Dennis, chair of the Circuit Trails Coalition.
Construction on the Audubon-to-Haddon Heights segment began on March 8 and is slated for completion by the end of this year.
