The New Jersey Department of Transportation recently awarded $5.9 million in Bikeway Grants to 11 projects in nine counties.
The Bikeway Grant Program provides $1 million in grants annually to municipalities and counties that promote bikeways as an alternate mode of transportation. The bikeways must support the state’s plan to add new miles of dedicated bikeways.
“Investing in bikeways helps promote alternate forms of transportation and reduces our reliance on cars,” Gov. Phil Murphy said. “Increased biking and walking are tangible steps we can take to achieve our climate change goals while encouraging residents to live a healthy lifestyle.”
This round of grants also included $4.9 million appropriated for Grants-in-Aid programs.
The department considered applications on a competitive basis and took into consideration new bike miles created, safety, connectivity, service to public, Complete Streets Policy, and an applicant’s past performance using other Local Aid funds.
Each municipality or county was permitted one application.
“Projects funded by the Bikeway Grant Program provide safe transportation alternatives that benefit cyclists and pedestrians and improve the of quality-of-life in New Jersey,” department Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said.
The Bikeway Grant Program and other Local Aid state-funded grant programs benefit residents by enabling local governments to complete road projects in their jurisdiction without burdening local taxpayers.