Bike Routes:Hamilton Train Station to Lawrence Neighborhoods
From LTWPwiki
The routes between the Hamilton train station and various Lawrence neighborhoods can be organized by each neighborhood's relation to US 1 and the need (or not) to cross it safely:
Map for Crossing Route 1 to Train Station
[edit] Neighborhoods East of Route 1
For those northern neighborhoods already on the east side of US 1 (principally Avalon Run, Liberty Green, and Lawrence Square Village) there is no need to cross. The simplest route is to follow Lawrence Station Road, turn right at Baker's Basin Road, then left at Basin Road, and on to the American Metro campus across the tracks from the station.
[edit] Neighborhoods West of Route 1
For neighborhoods in south Lawrence that would cross US 1 either at Texas Avenue or south of Whitehead Road (plus Colonial Lakes and other neighborhoods on the east side of US 1), the simplest route is to work your way to Whitehead Road toward Hamilton, turning left at the light at Sweetbriar Road, which crosses the tracks and becomes Sloan Avenue adjacent to the station.
For neighborhoods in north Lawrence with access to Province Line Road (including Yorkshire Village), the simplest route is to pick up the D&R Canal towpath where it crosses Province Line, then follow it south across the US 1 bike/pedestrian overpass, crossing Baker's Basin Road (where the towpath moves from the west side to the east side of the canal). Then turn left at Carnegie Road and work your way through the Cornell Heights neighborhood in Hamilton until you reach the American Metro campus across the tracks from the station.
| Warning | |
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Unfortunately, Province Line Road is not now a safe bike riding route at almost any time - but especially during the morning, noon and afternoon rush to and from ETS and BMS ( etc.). There are no sidewalks and no pavement shoulders in many areas (especially between 206 and Princeton Pike). Traffic moves at about 45 - 50 mph (signed at 40) and big trucks are seen often (Northbound some seem to come up Princeton Pike from the interstate and then use Province Line Road to reach northbound 206 - bypassing the trip through the village. | |
| Suggestion |
For other neighborhoods in central/north Lawrence, work your way to Franklin Corner Road and follow it to cross US 1 at the light, where it becomes Baker's Basin Road. Then turn right on the D&R Canal towpath, then left at Carnegie Road and work your way through the Cornell Heights neighborhood in Hamilton until you reach the American Metro campus across the tracks from the station.
The bike rack and bike lockers at the station are on the east side of the tracks, which necessitates crossing the tracks on the Sloan/Sweetbriar overpass. Some riders choose to remain on the west side and lock their bikes to the railing on the westbound platform.
American Metro has recently finished paving its parking lot and driveways all the way to the entrance on Basin Road across from the intersection with Laura Ave. It is not officially open but is easily negotiated on a bike.
Update December 2007: American Metro has now installed a chain link fence and gate across this exit - where previously there had only been Jersey barriers. If you don't mind dismounting and walking the bike for a short distance, though, there is a passage through the undergrowth on the right about 15 feet before the gate. A volunteer trimmed back the multiflora rose and vines so that it is now passable.
