Freehold Borough Awarded $400K For Bus Station Improvements

FREEHOLD, NJ - State officials recently awarded Freehold Borough a $400,000 grant to be used for pedestrian improvements at a local mass transit station. The funding comes as part of a $1.8 million Safe Streets to Transit Program (SSTT) award package to municipalities in Atlantic, Essex, Mercer, Monmouth and Passaic counties.

The Safe Streets to Transit Program provides funding to counties and municipalities to improve the overall safety and accessibility for mass transit riders walking to transit facilities, according to a news release. It also serves as one of several pedestrian safety initiatives funded through the State Transportation Trust Fund (TTF). This year’s program funding saw grants range from $140,000 to $400,000, with the largest single award from the program going to Freehold Borough.

“The 2021 grant is for improved pedestrian access to the bus station,” Freehold Borough Councilman George Schnurr told Patch in an email. “The program utilizes Transportation Trust Fund dollars to improve safety and accessibility for mass transit riders in the vicinity of transit facilities. These funds serve to advance transportation initiatives without burdening local property taxpayers.”

While the the details of the project have yet to be determined, Schnurr says the typical work for this type of project may include:

• Intersection safety improvements that eliminate pedestrian barriers
• New sidewalks, curb ramps, sidewalk widening, and major reconstruction
• Safety enhancements for pedestrian access to transit stops
• Traffic control devices that benefit pedestrians
• Traffic calming measures
• Pedestrian signals and push buttons at key intersections
• Pedestrian oriented lighting
• Major sidewalk reconstruction

The SSTT program aims to encourage transit users to walk to transit stations as well as aid in the implementation of projects and activities that will improve pedestrian conditions within a 1-mile radius from 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.

“Pedestrian safety to and from transit facilities is the main focus of the Safe Streets to Transit Program,” NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez- Scaccetti said. “The grants announced today will help seven municipalities fund projects providing sidewalks and safe and convenient ways to cross streets near transit stations, which promotes walking as part of a healthy lifestyle.”

The following seven municipalities received grants totaling $1.8 million available in the FY 2021 Safe Streets to Transit grant program:

• Atlantic City, Atlantic County: $160,000
• Ventnor, Atlantic County: $300,000
• Newark, Essex County: $300,000
• Hamilton, Mercer County: $140,000
• Freehold, Monmouth County: $400,000
• Long Branch, Monmouth County: $300,000
• Passaic, Passaic County: $200,000

“Freehold Borough has been very successful in obtaining grants since the beginning of 2020,” Schnurr added. “This is due to our Business Administrator Steve Gallo, our grant writing consultant Millennium Strategies, Mayor Kevin Kane and the Freehold Borough Council’s great working relationship with the Monmouth County Commissioners and our New Jersey State Legislative team of Senator Vin Gopal, Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling and Assemblywoman Joann Downey.”

Since the beginning of 2020, Freehold Borough has been awarded grants and aid totaling $2,346,973. The funding is allocated from county and state aid for municipal project such as:

• NJ Department of Transportation 2020 Municipal Aid Grant Program/roadwork for Frances Drive, Berkley Place & Yard Ave: $310,000
• NJ Department of Transportation 2021 Municipal Aid Grant Program/roadwork for Stokes Street: $305,000
• Monmouth County Community Development Block Grant/roadwork for Ford Avenue: $173,158
• Monmouth County Municipal Open Space Grant for Liberty Street Park improvements: $250,000
• NJ State Grant for Library upgrade: $889,000
• US Department of Justice Bulletproof Vest Partnership for Police Department Safety Vests: $5,340
• Sustainable NJ Public Information and Engagement Grant for Consulting Services: $5,000
• Monmouth County Historical Commission Historic Preservation Grant Program for Firehouse Doors Restoration: $9,475
• NJ Department of Transportation 2021 Safe Streets to Transit Grant Program for Improved Pedestrian Access to the Bus Station: $400,000