NJDOT to Award $12 Million in
Transportation Enhancement Grants

"Quality of life is of paramount importance to New Jerseyans, yet deciding on the criteria to promote it varies distinctly from community to community." Governor Christie Whitman said. "Transportation touches all of our lives and factors into a variety of decisions including where we shop, work and live. Ultimately, transportation is a way to bolster our economy while at the same time improve our quality of life. These grants are for projects, formulated at the local level that assist our towns and counties in meeting both laudable goals."

The grant awards will fund 35 projects across the state in fiscal year 2000, including $500,000 to the U.S.S. New Jersey Battleship Commission for the berthing of the Battleship New Jersey, $500,000 for Sussex Branch Trail and $600,000 for phase 2 of Hoboken’s Washington Street Beautification project.

"The Transportation Enhancement program is a common thread linking state and federal policy. It strives to ensure that these types of projects are an integral part of our transportation investment policy. TEA-21 and Gov. Whitman’s transportation vision, called NJ FIRST, recognize that transportation initiatives must include consideration of our natural environment and the characteristics of surrounding communities," Commissioner Weinstein 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.