The State announced that the City of Pleasantville has been awarded three grants designed to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety throughout the community.
Mayor Judy Ward stated, “We thank the State for supporting these very important projects. These projects will improve safety and the quality of life in Pleasantville.”
Pleasantville was one of only seven communities in New Jersey to receive a Transit Village Grant of $378,000 for improvements on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Streets. The City also received a $167,000 Bikeway Grant to install bike lanes on Franklin Street and a $188,000 Safe Streets to Transit Grant for safety improvements at the intersection of Woodland Avenue & Route 9.
“We must strive to reduce congestion on our roadways and encourage our residents to consider alternate forms of transportation,” Governor Phil Murphy said. “I am committed to making New Jersey fairer and more equitable, and these grant programs help do that by providing communities the funds to improve infrastructure so residents may safely travel to and from transit facilities.”
“The New Jersey Department of Transportation appreciates Governor Murphy and the legislature’s continued support for creating a safe and equitable transportation system for all roadway users, whether they walk, roll, or ride,” NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said. “The additional funds for Grants-in-Aid programs, means we can support more projects that benefit cyclists and pedestrians to improve the quality-of-life in New Jersey.”
Downtown Pleasantville has also won designation by the Neighborhood Preservation Program, a New Jersey Department of Community Affairs program which provides funding for visible improvements like murals, lighting improvements, flowerpots, and banners. Rutala Associates, a local planning firm, completed the grant applications as well as the Neighborhood Preservation Plan.
There are 35 municipalities in the Transit Village program. Among the benefits of the Transit Village designation are coordination among the state agencies that make up the Transit Village Task Force, priority funding and technical assistance from some state agencies, and enhanced eligibility for grants.
Each municipality with a Transit Village designation may submit one application for funding. Applications must be for projects located within one-half mile of the transit facility. The projects are awarded on a competitive basis taking into consideration proximity to a transit facility, project need, walkability, and bicycle access.
