Johnson Trolley Trail
Part of the Greater Mercer Trails Plan
The Greater Mercer Trails Plan envisions an interconnected network of trails and on-road biking and walking facilities that makes active transportation a viable alternative to driving a car, whether to work, school or shopping.
In Mercer County, historic rail and canal lines, plus other utility corridors, provide the primary opportunity to fill out this vision, including the existing and proposed north-south paths of the West Trenton Line, Johnson Trolley Trail, D&R Canal, Trolley Line 15, and Camden & Amboy "John Bull" lines. East-west paths are the D&R Feeder, Delaware Bound Brook, Shabakunk Creek, Mercer Health and Lawrence Hopewell trails.
While this story map can be viewed on any device, we recommend using a desktop computer or laptop for the best experience.
This story map was updated in January 2023 to include more information about the Johnson Trolley Trail
The Greater Mercer Trails Plan study, finalized in December 2019, was conducted to support the development of a network of multi-use (biking and walking) trails and paths in the Greater Mercer area, to serve a variety of transportation needs by linking communities and the amenities within those communities with a safe, low stress option to motorized travel.
The proposed plan includes a network of long-distance corridors that add almost 700 additional miles of bicycle and pedestrian facilities to the existing network.
This map shows both the existing and proposed long-distance trails in the greater Mercer area. Existing trails are shown as solid green lines, and proposed trails as purple dotted lines.
Explore the full map, including the types of bike facilities, here .
The Johnson Trolley Trail, highlighted in yellow, will run from Princeton down to Trenton. It follows the historic right-of-way of the "Jonhson Trolley Line" (Trenton-Princeton Traction Company) that began operation on November 17, 1901.
The Johnson Trolley Trail can be broken into 5 segments; 2 existing segments and 3 proposed segments.
Existing Segment of Johnson Trolley Line Located in Ewing Township
The two existing segments run along the former Johnson Tolley Line rail right-of-way and are located in Lawrence Township. Sometimes referred to as Johnson Trolley Line North and Johnson Trolley Line South, they are currently disconnected by I-295.
The existing northern segment is an unpaved trail that goes through Lawrenceville.
Johnson Trolley Trail North
Here, it also connects to the Lawrence Hopewell Trail.
The existing southern segment is a mix of paved-shared use paths and trails. The southern portion also goes into Ewing Township.
Johnson Trolley Trail South
The existing sections of the Johnson Trolley Trail are also currently part of The Circuit Trails, a vast regional network of hundreds of miles of multi-use trails in the Greater Philadelphia area.
Learn more about The Circuit Trails here .
The three proposed segments, when completed, will provide a safe, mostly off-road connection from Trenton to Princeton. However, in many areas, the historic Johson Trolley Line right-of-way no longer exists or is privately owned.
These proposed alignments try to stay true to the historic right-of-way whenever possible. In addition, they are not currently finalized and will likely change in the future.
For the proposed segments, north of I-295 there are two potential options.
The proposed segments will make use of existing paths and sidewalks in Lawrenceville. The path pictured above connects Gordon Ave to Woodlane Rd.
The first option is to travel along the former Johnson Trolley Line right-of-way.
The second option is to deviate from the historic right-of-way in order to maximize the use of existing preserved open space and trails.
These include preserved county open space, Shipetauken Woods, and Carson Road Woods.
Both proposed options would connect back to the LHT
The southernly proposed segment will run from the southern terminus of the existing Johnson Trolley Trail which is located on 5th Street in Ewing Township
The Southern Terminus of the Johnson Trolley Trail
and extend down to Trenton.
Here it will connect to the D&R Canal Towpath.
The third proposed segment, and arguably most important, will connect the existing north and south segments of the Johnson Trolley Trail, which are currently cut-off by I-295.
Interstate 295 is a primary connector of the road network, but also the primary barrier to the proposed trail network, with limited opportunities to provide safe passage under or over the freeway.
One solution to this problem is the construction of a bridge over I-295. If constructed, this bridge would dramatically improve access to the trail.
Rendering of proposed bridge across I-295
This project would also include completing the short segment from I-295 to Ryder University
Photo taken from the existing section of the trail looking north at where the second proposed segment would begin. The road is part of Rider University.
The proposed bridge also allows older students to travel between The College of New Jersey, Rider University, Lawrenceville School, and, through further trail connections, to Mercer County Community College. Lawrence public school students living in Lawrenceville could safely bike to Lawrence Middle and High Schools over the bridge.
The bridge will also help improve access to Lawrenceville Main Street
Land Use Around Johnson Trolley Trail
In addition to being a recreational trail, the Johnson Trolley Trail has the potential to connect residents to schools, parks, and commercial areas.
The existing southern most segment of the trail currently runs through or near two university campuses, including Rider University and The College of New Jersey.
In addition, two schools, Lawrenceville Elementary and The Lawrenceville School (a private school) are located along the northern existing segment of the trail.
If built, the northern proposed segment of the trail can provide better access to these schools.
A number of public parks, conservation, and recreational areas are adjacent to the existing segments of the trail. When built, the proposed segments will help expand access of other areas.
Central Park Recreation Area, Loveless Nature Preserve, and Drexel Woods are located along the existing southern segment of the trail.
The northern proposed segment of the trail will improve access to the Shipetauken Woods and Carson Road Woods.
A number of commercial and office properties are located near both the existing and proposed segments of the trail.
This includes Bristol Myers Squibb to the north
and Educational Testing Service
And a number of retail stores to the south
History of the Johnson Trolley Line
The Johnson Trolley Trail was built upon the bed of the "Jonhson Trolley Line" (Trenton-Princeton Traction Company) that began operation on November 17, 1901. It went from Witherspoon Street in Princeton to West Hanover Street in Trenton and included stops at Phillips Avenue, Denow Road, and Eggerts Crossing Road. The dark green trolleys with yellow trim and cowcatchers at both ends reached speeds of up to forty miles per hour. This speed earned the trolley the name "The Fast Line" and distinguished it from a competing but slower trolley. Local lore has it that Woodrow Wilson, while Governor of the New Jersey, would ride the trolley and distribute pennies to children. The trolley ceased operation on November 1, 1940. The tracks continued to be used to haul freight between Trenton and Lawrenceville until 1974. (Source: Historical Marker, Lawrence)
In 1972, the Johnson Trolley Line right-of-way was disconnected due to the construction of I-295. The picture below shows I-295 being constructed, in the top portion of the photo the Johnson Trolley Line can be seen.
Aerial of I-295 under construction, looking west from above the intersection of US-206 (1972)
The map below shows aerial imagery of Lawrenceville in 1930 and 2019. Use the slider to look between the two periods. Pan around to look at different areas of the Johnson Trolley Line. (Note, the 1930 and 2019 imagery may not perfectly align)
1930's Imagery (Left) and 2019 Imagery (Right)
Thanks for reading!
If you have any questions about this story map, the trails themselves, or the data used to make the map, contact Steven daCosta (sdacosta@gmtma.org).
Story Map Link: https://arcg.is/0yH49G
Wanna learn about another trail project in Mercer County? Take a look at our other StoryMap about the John Bull trail , which will connect Hightstown to Hamilton!
John Bull Trail Story Map Link: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/a2899b9b102e461496c791d7bf2f7caa
