The state of New Jersey has awarded critical funding to expand access to safe transportation and enhance areas around public transit facilities across the state. The awards total more than $24 million across three programs as part of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget. Funding for the Local Aid and Economic Development Grants line-item increased by nearly 50 percent over the last fiscal year, representing the Murphy Administration’s commitment to a wide range of transportation options.
The Safe Streets to Transit Program will provide $13.4 million in funding to improve access to transit facilities and public transportation in counties and municipalities, including Dover, which will utilize its nearly $800,000 award to improve traffic signals that will help protect pedestrians and school children. Additionally, the Local Bikeway Program will provide $8.4 million to promote bicycling as an alternate mode of transportation while the Transit Village Program will provide $2.9 million toward the revitalization and redevelopment of areas around transit facilities into mixed-use neighborhoods.
“In order to maximize the impact of our considerable public transportation upgrades, we must ensure that our transit facilities are linked not just to economically thriving neighborhoods, but to streets that bring our community members to their destination reliably and efficiently,” Gov. Murphy said. “For many New Jerseyans, commutes or daily travels do not begin and end at the train station. That’s why my Administration is doubling down on its efforts to promote active transportation alternatives and ensure that – whether you’re a pedestrian or cyclist – you can safely and affordably access our nation-leading public transportation network.”
“Too many New Jerseyans do not have safe walking or biking access to our transit system, often limiting access to job and educational opportunities and increasing traffic congestion,” said U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11). “I also proudly voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which established the Safe Streets and Roads for All program, so that we can work in tandem and create better streets in NJ-11 and across the state. I want to thank Gov. Murphy for this important investment, which will improve the quality of life for New Jersey residents.”
“The Department of Transportation is proud to support Gov. Murphy’s vision to make New Jersey more fair, equitable and environmentally friendly. We appreciate the governor and the legislature providing an additional $20 million this year for Bikeways, Safe Streets to Transit and Transit Village grants,” said New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “The increased funding means a record number of towns, including Dover, are receiving grants to create safer, more walkable and bikeable communities and promote the use of public transportation.”
In related news, New Jersey Transit was awarded a $592,000 grant from the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) grant through the Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning program. The authority will use the funds to study equitable TOD along the proposed nine-mile extension of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail into Bergen County.
