Politics & Government

East Windsor Gets $490K In State Grant For Road Improvement Project

$150 million was given to 540 cities and towns across the state for infrastructure improvements.

EAST WINDSOR, NJ – Several towns in Mercer County, including East Windsor, have received Municipal Aid grants from the state for infrastructure improvements across town.

East Windsor got $490,932 for improvements to Abbington Drive and other streets. Meanwhile, Hightstown got $327,288 for making improvements to Broad Street, Van Rensallar Avenue, and Manlove Avenue Dead-End.

In total, Mercer County received $6,534,779 from the state for infrastructure projects, earmarked for pedestrian safety and road projects.

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More than 41 percent of the funding, $61.9 million, is going to 176 municipalities with Complete Streets policies. Another $22.2 million is being awarded to 56 communities where the project meets equity criteria to benefit low-income and minority populations, Gov. Phil Murphy’s office said.

β€œMunicipal Aid allows our communities to undertake transportation projects that significantly improve the quality of life for New Jersey residents,” Murphy said.

Find out what's happening in East Windsorfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

β€œUnder our Administration’s stewardship, the State is doing its part to help municipalities improve local infrastructure, so we have a safe and efficient transportation system throughout the state."

The Municipal Aid grant program received 595 applications from 540 different municipalities with a total of $375 million was requested.

These project applications were evaluated and rated on their merits by NJDOT staff and reviewed by an independent panel of state municipal engineers.

Every municipality that applied for funding, all 540 municipalities, received a grant, totaling $150 million, Murphy’s office said.

β€œThanks to the Murphy Administration’s ongoing commitment to improving New Jersey’s infrastructure, communities have the resources they need to improve local roads and bridges,” NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor said. β€œEvery one of the 540 municipalities who applied for Municipal Aid received a grant, which will make travel smoother and safer on all of our roads.”
Under the Municipal Aid grant program, each county is apportioned a share of the total funding based on population and the number of local centerline miles. Municipalities compete for portions of their county’s share.

NJDOT provides 75 percent of the grant amount when a town awards a contract and the remaining 25 percent upon completion of the project. Of the $150 million, $10 million is allotted for municipalities qualifying for Urban Aid as defined under state law, with the amounts determined by the Department of Community Affairs.

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