Murphy Administration announces $1 million in Safe Street to Transit grants to improve access transit facilities

Four municipalities receive grants to improve access to transit facilities

“The Safe Streets to Transit program is one of many pedestrian programs in New Jersey, that not only improves safety, but also encourages walking to public transportation facilities,” NJDOT Acting Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said. “Providing sidewalks and safe and convenient ways to cross streets in attractive environments helps to encourage walking, which is part of a healthy lifestyle and reduces roadway congestion.”

The Safe Streets to Transit (SSTT) program is one of several pedestrian safety initiatives funded through the State Transportation Trust Fund (TTF). The recent gas tax increase as part of the TTF renewal in 2016 more than doubled the overall amount of funds for NJDOT’s Local Aid programs to $400 million, most of which goes to County and Municipal Aid. The SSTT program provides funding to counties and municipalities to improve the overall safety and accessibility for mass transit riders walking to transit facilities. The program encourages transit users to walk to transit stations, and facilitates the implementation of projects and activities that will improve pedestrian conditions within a 1-mile radius from a transit facility or station.

The SSTT program is one of many Local Aid programs funded through the state Transportation Trust Fund.

Projects are awarded on a competitive basis taking into consideration proximity to a transit facility, safety, accessibility, project need and applicant’s past performance using other Local Aid funds. This year, NJDOT received 52 applications requesting $17.7 million. The following four municipalities received grants totaling $1 million available in the FY 2018 Safe Streets to Transit grant program:

• Egg Harbor, Atlantic County: $250,000
• Somers Point, Atlantic County: $200,000
• Voorhees, Camden County: $150,000
• Summit, Union County: $400,000

The Safe Streets to Transit program, as well as other Local Aid state-funded grant programs, benefit residents by enabling local governments to significantly reduce or eliminate reliance on local property tax dollars to support their projects. For NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info and on our Facebook page.