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5/15/2015 - Local Aid Helps 9 Towns Control Property Taxes

Christie Administration announces $1.6 million in Local Aid grants
to help 9 Cumberland County towns control property taxes

Grants are among 389 worth $81.75 million awarded statewide

(Trenton) – The Christie Administration today announced that nine Cumberland County municipalities will share $1,625,825 in Local Aid grants to advance street, safety and quality-of-life improvements without burdening local property taxpayers.

A total of 376 municipalities successfully competed for $78.75 million in Municipal Aid grants, while 13 other grants totaling $3 million were announced under the Transit Village, Local Bikeway, and Safe Streets to Transit programs.  All of the grants are being funded through the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund.

Nine Cumberland County municipalities will receive a Municipal Aid grant worth a combined total of $1.6 million. 

 “Most of the Municipal Aid grants will support road resurfacing or preservation projects, and will help towns make much needed repairs after a brutal winter,” NJDOT Commissioner Jamie Fox said.   “These grants promote motorist, pedestrian and bicyclist safety, mobility and quality-of-life projects.”

Municipal Aid

The competitive Municipal Aid grant program attracted 630 applications worth $253 million in work.  A total of 5 percent of the 376 successful applicants were awarded grants for non-traditional projects involving pedestrian safety, bikeways and streetscape projects.

Under the Municipal Aid grant program, each county is apportioned a share of the total funding based on population and the number of local centerline miles.  Municipalities compete for portions of their county’s share.  Past performance in connection with timely award of projects and construction close-out factor into the evaluation of the Municipal Aid grant proposals. Of the $78.75 million, there is $5 million allotted for municipalities qualifying for Urban Aid under state law, with the awards determined by the Department of Community Affairs.

When evaluating municipal aid grant applications, NJDOT gives an additional point to municipalities that have adopted Complete Streets policies. At the time municipal aid applications were due there were 108 municipalities with complete streets policies, and all but three submitted applications.  Of them, 96 were recommended for grants totaling $23.5 million. 

A total of 113 municipalities and seven counties now have adopted Complete Streets policies, which establishes guidelines that require consideration be given to pedestrians and bicyclists when local transportation projects are being planned, designed, and built.  NJDOT adopted its award-winning policy in December, 2009.

NJDOT provides 75 percent of a municipal aid grant when a town awards a contract and the remaining 25 percent upon completion of the project.

 

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