The administration of Governor Phil Murphy recently issued $24 million across three programs to expand access to safe transportation while enhancing the areas surrounding public transit facilities statewide.
The Safe Streets to Transit program will disburse $13.4 million in funding to improve access to transit facilities and public transportation in counties and municipalities.
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 turning 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,” the governor said in a statement.
He added that, for many state residents, “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.”
“We appreciate the Governor and the Legislature providing an additional $20 million this year for Bikeways, Safe Streets to Transit and Transit Village grants,” added New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti.
“The increased funding means a record number of towns are receiving grants to create safer, more walkable, and bikeable communities, and promote the use of public transportation,” she said.
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Source: AASHTO
