MTR 255, New Jersey Ped, Cyclist Funding Still Low

Mobilizing the Region
Issue 255 February 4, 2000

New Jersey Ped, Cyclist Funding Still Low

Last week, NJ DOT released this year's list of local pedestrian and bicycling projects that will receive NJ DOT local aid funding. As in other recent award cycles, municipal demand far exceeded the supply of dollars made available by DOT. The Dept. received 314 grant applications for amounts totaling more than $50 million - slightly more than last year's requests - demonstrating continued enthusiasm for such projects.

The 97 projects selected for funding include completion of the portion of the Trenton-Palmyra Heritage Trail through Burlington City, traffic calming in Westfield, and bike paths in Hillsborough.

1999 traffic fatality figures show that more money for similar projects is needed throughout NJ (MTR #251). While streets became safer for motorists last year, bike and pedestrian fatalities held steady, accounting for 24% of all traffic fatalities in the Garden State. In 1998, Governor Whitman establish the goal of cutting pedestrian deaths in half by 2010. Increasing the the NJDOT set-aside for pedestrian and cycling projects would help make attainment of the promise a worthwhile chance.