NJ Awards Belleville $290K For 'Light Rail Pedestrian Safety'

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Belleville will get $290,000 in state funds as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 Safe Streets to Transit Program (SSTT) grants, officials announced Wednesday.

According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), $8.6 million has been awarded to 19 municipal projects in nine counties. See the full list here.

Belleville will get its share of the funding to carry out a “Light Rail Pedestrian Safety Project,” the NJDOT said.

This year’s grants represent the largest amount of funds provided in a single year for the Safe Streets to Transit Program, NJDOT officials said.

“Providing safe transportation alternatives for everyone in our state, particularly those who rely on mass transit, is part of my commitment to make New Jersey more fair and equitable,” Gov. Phil Murphy said.

“By significantly increasing the amount of money available to the Safe Streets to Transit Program, we are making sure people walking to transit facilities can do so safely,” Murphy added.

The Safe Streets to Transit (SSTT) program is one of several pedestrian safety initiatives funded through the State Transportation Trust Fund. 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 of a transit facility or station.

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, officials said.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Belleville-Nutley Facebook page.