Asbury Park Grant For Pedestrian Safety Improvements

Asbury Park has been awarded $500,000 in federal grants under the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, in partnership with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority.

The funds will be used to make pedestrian safety improvements focused on three main areas of resident concern:

• Traffic calming on 3rd and 4th Avenues: The application proposes construction of 6 mini roundabouts to help slow down the flow of traffic and discourage commercial traffic on 3rd and 4th Avenues from Ridge Avenue to Memorial Drive. In addition, 4 dynamic speed feedback signs (also known variable traffic control signs) have been proposed to indicate driver speed and provide a custom call-to-action.
• New 3rd Avenue Bike Lanes: Bikes lanes will be added on 3rd Avenue from Ridge Avenue to Memorial Drive. The upgrade, following the city’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, is being added with the goal of increasing safety for youth who may ride to school and will work towards completing Asbury Park’s bike network.
• Traffic Signal Upgrade on 3rd Avenue at Pine Street: A new, fully-compliant traffic signal will replace the current sub-standard signal at 3rd Avenue and Pine Street. Upgrades also include adding ADA curb ramps, new crosswalks, and 4 pedestrian countdown signals.

“Council heard feedback from residents regarding pedestrian safety in the area and created a plan to address these issues while the improving on transportation infrastructure," said Mayor John Moor, “This is another great example of how our City is responsive to requests from our residents.”

The Safe Routes to School program, created in 2015 to increase pedestrian safety awareness among motorists and school children, enables and encourages children to walk and bike to school safely. SRTS works with local municipalities to help facilitate the planning, development and implementation of projects and activities to improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution near schools.

Asbury Park was recognized for its commitment and support of the program and named a Gold Level winner in the 2018 Safe Routes to School Recognition program after having completed activities to facilitate education and safety. Recognition is valid for 3 years, and winners are eligible for SRTS infrastructure grants.

“We’re proud of our current Gold Level standing with the Safe Routes to School Program and thankful to EZ Ride for the significant support they’ve provided the city in reaching that goal,” said Transportation Director Michael Manzella. “We have been putting in the work to build and maintain our standing in the program in anticipation of applying for grants such as these and securing future funding.”