About the Project
The Palisades Shared Use Path Study is a project to determine the feasibility of constructing a shared use path through the Palisades to create a safe, intuitive, and separated connection between the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, New Jersey to the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge in South Nyack, New York. A shared use path provides a travel area separate from motorized traffic for cyclists, pedestrians, skaters, wheelchair users, joggers, and other users. This path would fill a gap in what is a very popular biking route in the regional bike network. The Palisades Shared Use Path Study area extends about 20 miles along the west side of the Hudson River, traversing busy roadways, historic downtowns, and public parklands, including Palisades Interstate Park and Tallman Mountain State Park.
Where is the Palisades Shared Use Path Study area?
The study area extends from the George Washington Bridge to the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, traversing the city of Englewood, and the Boroughs of Englewood Cliffs, Tenafly, and Alpine in New Jersey. In New York, it passes through the Town of Orangetown (including the Hamlets of Palisades, Sparkill, Orangeburg, and South Nyack) and the Villages of Piermont and Grand View-on-Hudson. The corridor follows the Palisades Interstate Parkway and U.S. 9W - the southernmost portion of New York State Bicycle Route 9 - which connects New York City to Rouses Point on the Canadian border.
Why is this study happening now?
The completion of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge shared use path created a new crossing over the lower Hudson River for walkers and bikers for the first time in nearly 90 years. Before this path opened in 2020, the closest crossing to the George Washington Bridge was the Bear Mountain Bridge, nearly 40 miles to the north. This new crossing, along with the ongoing upgrades to the George Washington Bridge shared use paths, are expected to increase bicycle traffic along the U.S. 9W corridor between these two bridges. This study will determine the feasibility of a separated shared use path between the two bridges, as well as the feasibility of other enhancements to pedestrian and cycling access along the U.S. 9W corridor through Palisades Interstate Park.
What would be some benefits of the Palisades shared use path?
A convenient and fully separated shared use path would serve an already busy cycling corridor and activate latent demand for safe biking facilities in the area. The path could help to improve the health and quality of life for residents, tourists, and businesses by maximizing access to recreation, the outdoors, and active transportation. It could also build connectedness and sense of community, support economic development and tourism, and provide opportunities to enhance local history, culture, and environmental sustainability.
Study Objectives
The objectives of this study are to determine the feasibility of a path through the lower Palisades and to ensure that such a facility will be sustainable and beneficial to the community and the environment.
Determine the feasibility and potential benefits of constructing the Palisades Shared Use Path by assessing the physical and social characteristics of proposed alignment options.
Identify potential routes for the path, considering factors such as safety, environmental impacts, proximity to parks, businesses and other key destinations, and connectivity to other paths.
Engage with local residents, business owners, government agencies, and advocacy groups to gather input, address concerns, and build support for the study.
Study Outcomes
A determination of overall project feasibility, supported by a final recommended path alignment.
Opportunities for amenities, gathering spaces, and aesthetic elements that would make the shared use path a well-loved community place.
Identification of implementation and next steps.
Identification of design-planning requirements and cost estimates.
