The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), in partnership with the NJTPA, today announced $29.3 million in federal funding for 29 local projects through the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program. The program provides federal funds for community-based projects that improve safety, accessibility, and quality of life across northern and central New Jersey.
The NJTPA Board of Trustees approved the funding at its November Board meeting. NJDOT also announced another 14 projects in the southern part of the state in partnership with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization. Together the 43 projects total $47.4 million across the state.
“The New Jersey Department of Transportation is committed to advancing Governor Murphy’s vision of a safe transportation system that accommodates all users,” NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor said. “We are doing that by working with the three regional planning authorities to provide federal funding to counties and municipalities for local projects that improve safety and strengthen the cultural, aesthetic, and environmental aspects of our transportation system.”
The NJTPA and NJDOT received 45 applications in the 13-county region for this year’s solicitation. Of these, 36 were deemed eligible for federal funding consideration. Based on available funds, the Board approved 29 projects throughout the NJTPA region.
These projects include pedestrian and bicycle improvements, safer routes to schools, and community enhancements that make local travel safer and more accessible. Collectively, they will fill critical gaps in walking and biking networks, make crossings and sidewalks safer for children and seniors, and create more inviting public spaces that encourage active, healthy travel. Examples include nearly $1.5 million for a pedestrian transportation safety project on Oak Tree Road in Edison and Woodbridge (Middlesex County), $1.33 million for a Morris Canal Greenway tow path preservation project in Wharton Borough (Morris County), and $451,000 for a bikeway project in Bloomfield (Essex County). The full list is available in the meeting agenda beginning on page 22, or via the NJDOT website.
“These investments make a real difference for people in our communities,” said David Behrend, NJTPA Executive Director. “When we help towns add safer crosswalks, improve sidewalks, or connect bike paths to schools and downtowns, we are improving everyday life by making it easier, safer, and more enjoyable for people to get where they need to go.”
Four of the projects approved this year will advance recommendations from the NJTPA’s Complete Streets Technical Assistance Program, demonstrating how local planning efforts can lead to tangible improvements in safety and accessibility. This includes improvements to Greylock Parkway in Belleville (Essex County), North Avenue Streetscape Improvements Phase II in Dunellen (Middlesex County), and streetscape improvements to 8th Avenue in Belmar and Main Street in Bradley Beach (both in Monmouth County).
The Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program supports non-traditional transportation projects that strengthen community character while improving access to destinations. Eligible activities include pedestrian and bicycle facilities, streetscape improvements, and projects that enhance the cultural, historical, and environmental aspects of transportation infrastructure.
The NJTPA’s partnership with NJDOT ensures that federal transportation funds reach communities of all sizes, from urban centers to small towns, helping them advance priority projects that might otherwise be difficult to fund. Together, these investments help build safer streets, stronger connections, and more vibrant local economies across the region.