NJDOT awards grant to Morris County Park Commission
Governor Christie Whitman and Acting Transportation Commissioner John J. Haley, Jr. today announced the Morris County Park Commission will receive a grant of $345,193 for the extension of the Morris County Traction Line, a bicycle and pedestrian trail. The grant will allow for the extension of the trail by another mile, from Convent Station to Danforth Road in Madison.
The grant comes from a component of the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) called Transportation Enhancements. The objectives of this program are to foster more liveable communities, enhance the travel experience and promote new transportation investment partnerships. The program was designed to preserve environmental, cultural and historic resources, and to promote alternative modes of transportation.
"ISTEA is up for re-authorization this year," Gov. Whitman said. "Commissioner Haley and I will be working closely with our congressional delegation to ensure New Jersey continues to receive its fair share of federal transportation funding. We will also work to ensure that critical programs like the Transportation Enhancements remain a part of the legislation."
"This project will provide strollers, joggers, commuters and biking enthusiasts with a needed alternative to local roads," said Haley. "I’m pleased to be a part of this terrific program and terrific project. From creating bikeways to refurbishing turn of the century railroad stations, the program has helped to bring transportation diversity to our suburbs and vitality to our cities."
In its four years of existence, the Enhancements Program has provided more than $50 million in funding to 123 New Jersey projects. Today’s grant will be presented by Acting Commissioner Haley to Robert A. Vogel, P.E., Assistant Director of Engineering and Parks for the Morris County Parks Commission.
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