New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said 540 cities and towns across his state would receive $150 million in municipal aid grants to advance road, bridge, safety and quality of life improvements.
The competitive Municipal Aid grants program received nearly 600 applications from 540 different municipalities asking for $375 million in funding. The projects were evaluated and rated on their merits by New Jersey’s Department of Transportation. Every municipality that applied for funding received some funding, he said.
“Municipal Aid allows our communities to undertake transportation projects that significantly improve the quality of life for New Jersey residents,” Murphy said. “Under our Administration’s stewardship, the state is doing its part to help municipalities improve local infrastructure, so we have a safe and efficient transportation system throughout the state.”
More than 41 percent of the funding will go to 176 municipalities with Complete Streets policies. Another $22.2 million is being awarded to 56 communities where the project meets equity criteria to benefit low-income and minority populations.
“Thanks to the Murphy Administration’s ongoing commitment to improving new Jersey’s infrastructure, communities have the resources they need to improve local roads and bridges,” NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor said. “Every one of the 540 municipalities who applied for Municipal Aid received a grant, which will make travel smoother and safer on all of our roads.”
Under the Municipal Aid program, each county is apportioned a share of the total funding based on its population and the number of local centerline miles. NJDOT provides 75 percent of the grant amount when a town awards a contract, and the remaining 25 percent upon completion of the project. Of the $150 million, $10 million is set aside for municipalities qualifying for Urban Aid.