Safe Routes to School and Transportation Alternative Grants Applications Now Available
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Division of Local Aid is currently accepting applications for Safe Routes to School (SRTS) 2018 program. The deadline is August 23 and applications can be found here.
County, municipal governments, school districts, and schools are eligible to apply for the grant. Non-profit organizations can be eligible for the grant and may partner with a local public agency that will assume responsibility for the grant.The SRTS program provides funding for infrastructure projects such as installation of sidewalks, crosswalks, signals, traffic-calming, and bicycle facilities and for non-infrastructure projects such as public awareness campaigns, walk and bike to school events and training, traffic education and enforcement, and student lessons on bicycle and pedestrian safety, health, and the environment.
To help with the grant application process for the SRTS program grant, NJ DOT will organize 45 minutes information sessions. More info available here.
The NJDOT has partnered with local Transportation Management Associations (TMA’s) to administer a new statewide education and encouragement program using SRTS Federal funds. The goal of the program is to educate and encourage more children to walk and bike to school. The local TMA for Ocean and Mercer counties is Greater Mercer TMA and you can contact us here.
GMTMA is available to conduct walk audits and prepare school travel plans for the application.
The NJ DOT also opened the applications for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). TAP provides federal funds for community based "non-traditional" projects designed to strengthen the cultural, aesthetic and environmental aspects of the nation's intermodal system. TAP projects must relate to surface transportation. Applications and guidelines can be found here.
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Implementing Complete Streets Workshop
 The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), Sustainable Jersey, the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers University, the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Together North Jersey will hold workshops on implementing complete streets at the local level in June, 2018.
The full day training opportunity is structured in four discrete sections, giving the participants the ability to make the most efficient use of their time by choosing the content that best meets their needs. The first workshop will be help on Tuesday, June 26 in Newark and the second workshop will be held on Wednesday, June 27 in New Brunswick.
Click here for more information about the workshop and registration.
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Route 1 South Bound Project Affecting Traffic in Lawrence and West Windsor
The NJ DOT announced a traffic shift to the left that will be in place until the end of the year. A work zone will be created on the right to accommodate utility relocation. Three lanes and one auxiliary lane will be maintained throughout the duration of the traffic shift. Narrowed lanes continue to be in effect. Motorists should slow down and use caution while driving through the work zone.
The $14 million project will widen Route 1 southbound between Nassau Park Boulevard in West Windsor (milepost 8.69), and Quaker Bridge Overpass in Lawrence (milepost 7.54) in order to improve capacity and safety on the roadway, and to improve access to and from the Mercer Mall and other adjacent businesses. Access to all locations will be maintained throughout the project. The project is expected to be completed in summer 2020.
The southbound roadway includes two express lanes and one local lane providing access to businesses along Route 1. The project calls for widening Route 1 to include a third express lane and will add an auxiliary lane from Nassau Park Boulevard to the Quaker Bridge Mall loop ramp in the local lanes. The project will provide motorists with improved traffic flow and more effective access for residents and travelers. NJ DOT will provide more information before any lane closures are scheduled and we will update you as information becomes available.
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Toms River Starts Trolley Summer Service to Downtown
The trolley will travel to downtown shops, businesses, and the library. The service is free and will run through Labor Day, September 3.
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NJ Transit Updates
The installation of the positive train control equipment is expected to impact North East Corridor and the NJ Coastline customers this summer. To see which trains will be impacted go to njtransit.com
NJ Transit adjusted weekday schedules effective June 4, 2018
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April Showers Bring… May Walk and Bike to School Events and Safety Presentations
- On May 3, Greater Mercer TMA and Munich Re America Inc. organized a Vision Zero workshop – the first in Central Jersey. More on the workshop from our host Mike Scrudato at linkedin.com.
- After conducting a walk safety audit with Greater Mercer TMA, Jessica Heller’s Gifted and Talented Class at Lawrence Intermediate School gave a Walk This Way presentation to Lawrence Council on May 15 and had three safety recommendations, reduce the speed limit at Rt. 206 and Eggerts Crossing Road from 35 mph to 25 mph, install a pedestrian signal at rt. 206 and Eggerts Crossing , and repaint faded crosswalk lines near the school.
- The Johnson Park Elementary Students walked to school on Tuesday, May 22 and Greater Mercer TMA, Mayor Liz Lempert, Council Members Quinn, Fraga, and Cohen, Police Chief Sutter, Superintendent Cochrane, Brett Bonfield (Executive Director of the Princeton Public Library) and a skilled DJ were there to welcome them.
 
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