Lettiere and Corzine announce grant
to improve pedestrian safety in the City of Summit

Springfield Avenue runs the length of the city – spanning residential areas and the central business district. The grant will allow Summit officials to proceed with the design of various safety improvements, including sidewalk construction, on a residential portion of Springfield Avenue that contains a steep incline without sidewalks for pedestrians or bicyclists.

“Over the last year, Governor McGreevey has continued to follow through on his commitment to make New Jersey communities safer for our family and friends,” said Lettiere. “We have a personal responsibility to improve the roads, bridges and sidewalk systems in our neighborhoods and downtown areas. Funding this local project is a wise investment of our state transportation dollars.”

U.S. Senator Jon S. Corzine, a former resident of Summit, thanked the New Jersey Department of Transportation for moving ahead with this long-sought improvement project for Springfield Avenue. “In the end, this project will provide a much safer environment for pedestrians who walk along the roadway, as well as improve traffic flow through the city.” he said.

Walter Long, who is completing eight years as Summit's mayor, described the grant for Springfield Avenue as “a true gift for Summit's children and families.” He noted that pedestrian safety, the creation of bike trails and establishing a 25-mile per hour speed limit throughout the city have been his objectives since taking office.

“Undoubtedly our number one safety concern has been for safe walkway access for school children residing in East Summit,” said Long. “I am happy that Senator Corzine and Councilman-at-Large Jordan Glatt were able to help Summit solve a safety problem that has been with us for almost 100 years - since the railroad came to Summit.”

Councilman-at-Large Jordan Glatt, who came to know the safety issues faced by East Summit residents during his walking campaign with Senator Corzine to become Summit's Councilman-at-Large, immediately made pedestrian safety and community unity his top priorities upon his election to Council.

“It is amazing how important a safe walkway is that connects one neighborhood to the rest of the town,” said Glatt. “Summit prides itself on valuing diversity, and this walkway will truly make it possible for our children to safely connect with their schools, friends and recreational facilities, including the downtown, in a way that has never been possible before.”

In addition to the Springfield Avenue grant, Summit recently received $150,000 for improvements on Blackburn Road through NJDOT’s Municipal Aid program.

Since taking office in 2001, Governor James E. McGreevey has made great strides to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians in New Jersey through increased funding, legislative measures and engineering and technological improvements.

Each year, the New Jersey Department of Transportation awards millions of dollars to help local officials advance projects aimed at increasing public safety and revitalizing communities through a variety of programs, including Safe Streets to Schools, Bikeways, Centers of Place, Municipal and County Aid and Transportation Enhancements.