Governor Whitman announces NJDOT to
award
$14.2 million in trasnportation enhancement grants
Governor Christie Whitman and Transportation Commissioner John J. Haley Jr. today announced the award of $14.2 million in transportation enhancement grants funded through the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA).
"Quality of life is of paramount importance to New Jerseyans, yet deciding on the criteria varies from community to community," Governor Whitman said. These grants are for projects, formulated at the local level and funded by ISTEA, that assist our towns and counties in meeting their quality of life goals. I congratulate the recipients and anxiously await the completion of the projects.
The grant awards will fund 36 projects across the state in fiscal year 1998, including $1 million to restore the Sussex Branch Trail Bridge, $800,000 to construct the Hillside Terrace pedestrian pathway in Union and $663,000 to develop pedestrian/bicycle access around the Manasquan Reservoir.
"These projects are but an example of how crucial ISTEA funding is to New Jersey. Enhancement grants provide a wealth of new opportunities for the public to directly contribute to improving the aesthetic and cultural qualities of the transportation system," Commissioner Haley said.
Enhancement grants typically fund non-traditional transportation projects, including the creation of bicycling and pedestrian trails, restoration of historic canals, historic train station rehabilitations and improvements to downtown streetscapes.
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