Murphy announces $24M to expand access to public transportation and spur transit-oriented development

More than $24 million across three programs has been awarded to expand access to safe transportation and enhance areas around public transit facilities across the state, according to a Monday announcement from Gov. Phil Murphy’s office. 

As part of Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget, funding for the Local Aid and Economic Development Grants line-item increased by nearly 50% over the last fiscal year. 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,” 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.”

“The Department of Transportation is proud to support Governor 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,” New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said. “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.”

The following municipalities have been awarded Safe Streets to Transit grants:
Absecon City ($619,000)
Belleville Township ($446,000)
Berkeley Heights Township ($639,000)
Bernardsville Borough ($250,000)
Bordentown Township ($152,000)
Burlington City ($158,000)
Cherry Hill Township ($683,000)
Clementon Borough ($416,000)
Dover Town ($778,000)
Egg Harbor City ($330,000)
Elizabeth City ($465,000)
Evesham Township ($409,000)
Hamilton Township ($341,000)
Hammonton Town ($325,000)
Harrison Township ($175,000)
Haworth Borough ($429,000)
Long Branch City ($774,000)
Margate City ($162,000)
Middletown Township ($997,000)
Passaic City ($510,000)
Perth Amboy City ($610,000)
Pleasantville City ($263,000)
Princeton ($636,000)
Red Bank Borough ($243,000)
Somers Point City ($861,000)
Somerville Borough ($299,000)
Summit City ($484,000)
Voorhees Township ($756,000)
West Windsor Township ($222,000)

The following counties and municipalities have been awarded Local Bikeway Program grants:
Berkeley Heights Township ($286,000)
Delran Township ($700,000)
Folsom Borough ($331,000)
Galloway Township ($250,000)
Gibbsboro Borough ($541,000)
Hudson County ($637,000)
Jersey City ($670,000)
Lawrence Township ($802,000)
Maurice River Township ($1,000,000)
Newark City ($379,000)
Passaic County ($250,000)
Princeton ($750,000)
River Vale Township ($447,000)
Summit City ($500,000)
Voorhees Township ($251,000)
West Windsor Township ($377,000)
Woolwich Township ($251,000)

The following municipalities have been awarded Transit Village Program grants:
Asbury Park ($55,000)
Burlington City ($327,000)
Cranford Township ($191,000)
Dunellen Borough ($226,000)
Morristown Town ($86,000)
Netcong Borough ($800,000)
Newark City ($470,000)
Park Ridge Borough ($147,000)
Pleasantville City ($555,000)
West Windsor Township ($89,000)