Eight grants totaling $18.7 million will help local communities improve transportation alternatives, officials with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) said Monday.
In partnership with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, and the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization, NJDOT said the grants are part of the 2024 Regional Transportation Alternative Program (RTA Set Aside) started by the department to provide funding opportunities for projects that cost more than $1.5 million and would have difficulty securing funding through other programs.
“The New Jersey Department of Transportation is committed to advancing Governor (Phil) Murphy’s vision of a safe transportation system that accommodates all users – whether they are pedestrians, bicyclists, or mobility-impaired,” NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor said. “These grants use federal funding for larger pedestrian safety and bikeway projects that will improve the quality of life for all.”
NJDOT said the projects focus on designing and building pedestrian, bicycle, and other nonmotorized facilities; converting abandoned rail facilities to trails; constructing scenic overlooks; streetscaping; preserving historic transportation structures; mitigating environmental issues related to stormwater management and reducing wildlife collisions or maintaining animal habitats.