Mercer County Master Plan - Mobility Element Update

The Mercer County Master Plan - Mobility Element Update will provide guidance to the County for a long-term and holistic approach toward transportation planning policies and strategies for an efficient, safe, accessible, and sustainable multimodal system that supports transportation needs and economic vitality.

The Mercer County Planning Department is currently updating the County’s Master Plan Mobility Element, originally adopted in 2010 and last revised in 2016. This Mobility Element Update (MEU) titled “Mercer in Motion” will be a new Mobility Plan to modernize and adapt the County’s transportation network to reflect significant changes in transportation and land use over the past decade and plan for the future. This updated plan will support ongoing transportation projects and future growth throughout the County and will coalesce the current 2010 Mobility Plan, the 2020 Bicycle Master Plan Element, the County’s Complete Streets and Vision Zero Policies, and the 2024 Land Development Ordinance.

The MEU will guide transportation planning for Mercer County’s transportation assets, emphasizing policies and initiatives that foster a balanced, safe, reliable, efficient, sustainable, and equitable mobility network. This system is intended to connect Mercer County’s residents, visitors, and workforce—of all ages and abilities—both locally and regionally.

Background:

Mercer County, located in central New Jersey, roughly equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia, prides itself as a center of commerce, education, healthcare, and culture.  With nearly 400,000 residents living within 226 square miles, the County is part of one of the nation’s most densely populated regions, with about 10% of the U.S. population residing within a 75-mile radius. Mercer County is the Capital County, encompassing the State Capital in Trenton, many state offices, numerous Fortune 500 companies, and prestigious medical and educational institutions. In addition to its many assets, the County boasts a vibrant cultural heritage, from Native American roots and early European settlements to several significant Revolutionary War sites and Industrial Revolution factories. The County also features a vast amount of preserved farmland and open space, including numerous parks and an expanding trail network.

While Mercer County is host to major interstate and state roads such as the New Jersey Turnpike, I-295, I-195, I-295, US Routes 1 and 130, and State Routes 29, 31, and 33, the Mercer County Mobility Element Update will focus on strategies to improve the County Highway system and regional multi-modal network while improving access to other vital regional resources.

The County is served by several passenger rail lines, including the NJ TRANSIT/Amtrak Northeast Corridor Line, NJ TRANSIT River Line, SEPTA West Trenton Line, and SEPTA Trenton Line. Interstate, regional, and local bus services are also provided within and through the County by NJ TRANSIT, SEPTA, Suburban Transit/Coach USA, Stout’s Charter Services, Academy Bus Company, and other providers.

Trenton-Mercer Airport, the third busiest commercial airport in New Jersey, is in the process of undergoing significant upgrades. Mercer County is planning to modernize aging airport assets in the coming years and pushing for additional mode connections between nearby roadways and transit options.

Safety:

In recent years, transportation safety has emerged as a significantly greater concern for communities, planners, and policymakers alike. Rising traffic volumes, increasing interactions between different modes of travel—such as pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and drivers—and growing awareness of the human and economic toll of traffic collisions have all contributed to a renewed focus on safety. This shift is also driven by data revealing disparities in who is most affected by unsafe infrastructure, with vulnerable populations such as our youngest and oldest citizens often bearing the greatest risks. As Mercer County strives to become more livable and equitable, the need to prioritize safety through thoughtful design, policy, and enforcement has become a central element of transportation planning.

Mercer County adopted an original Complete Streets Policy in 2012 and recently updated it in 2025. The County also adopted a Vision Zero resolution in 2025 which aims to eliminate all traffic-related deaths and serious injuries on its roadways over the coming decades. In order to achieve these results, the County will incorporate multi-modal designs into new projects and use a data driven approach which looks at high-risk areas (often called “high injury networks”) to target improvements. This Master Plan Element will help the County implement policies promoting safety and help us program safety improvements.

Looking Forward:

Transportation infrastructure forms the foundation for land development and economic growth, while responsible development supports both economic vitality and environmental stewardship. Roads are essential for delivering raw materials to factories, workers to job sites, people to their homes, and also provide access to recreation, entertainment and open spaces. However, new development extending along rural roads can quickly diminish unprotected open space. Therefore, it is crucial that the MEU strikes a sustainable balance between fostering economic growth and preserving the environmental quality of life. There is a need to plan for growth in developed and developing centers, where public transit and active transportation can be supported. While New Jersey counties have no direct authority over zoning, this plan seeks to support economic growth in existing development centers and recommends expanding highway capacity only when necessary for safety or to mitigate demonstrated congestion.

The MEU aims to steer transportation planning in the County and promote policies for advancing projects and programs that support a balanced transportation system that accommodates all users.  The Plan will examine existing conditions, emerging issues, and outline necessary actions to achieve and maintain a responsive and resilient transportation system. It will seek to balance the needs of adequate mobility, safety, and economic needs of Mercer County’s diverse population.

The current Mobility Master Plan was adopted in 2010 and over the past 15 years, there have been significant developments throughout Mercer County. There has been consistent growth through our suburban towns, notably in Hopewell Township, Robbinsville Township, and West Windsor. At the same time, there has been significant redevelopment in the Municipality of Princeton and City of Trenton. New development patterns bring new transportation patterns which offer opportunities but also present challenges.

Since that adoption of the original plan, the County has also adopted a Complete Streets Policy and Vision Zero Policy which reflects the County’s dedication to safety and (re)building our transportation system to minimize crashes and reduce serious injuries where feasible. The County also adopted a new Bicycle Master Plan Element in 2020 which presents a guiding plan on how to incorporate bicycle travel into our transportation fabric. The County incorporated those policies and the bike plan into a new Land Development Ordinance in 2024 which ties safety and multi-modal travel into new (re)development projects affecting County Highways. Looking forward, this plan aims to become a comprehensive document for the Mercer County Highway transportation network.

Community Involvement

Community input will be vital in shaping the MEU, including recommendations for County-owned transportation infrastructure such as roads, sidewalks, trails, and bridges, to address both current needs and future trends. We hope to hear from you about the specific transportation challenges you face, the improvements you'd like to see in your neighborhood, and how you envision a more connected and accessible future for all residents. Your lived experiences and local knowledge are key to identifying both opportunities and gaps in our existing systems.

Whether you walk, bike, drive, or rely on public transit, your perspective matters. By participating in surveys, attending community meetings, or submitting comments online, you can help ensure the MEU reflects the priorities of the people who use our infrastructure every day. This is your chance to help shape a safer, more efficient, and more equitable transportation network for generations to come.

We are committed to making this a collaborative and inclusive process, where all voices—especially those from historically underserved or underrepresented communities—are heard and valued. Your input will help influence planning decisions and investment priorities, helping us build infrastructure that not only meets today’s demands but also adapts to tomorrow’s challenges. Together, we can create a transportation system that supports a thriving, resilient, and sustainable community and business environment for everyone.

Anticipated Project Schedule: 

This Mobility Master Plan Element is anticipated to take 12 months and be completed in September 2026 with additional time possible for public feedback as needed.

Information: 

For further information, please contact:

Matthew Zochowski, PP/AICP, Principal Planner, Mercer County

mzochowski@mercercounty.org

Mansi Shah, Assistant Planner

mshah@mercercounty.org