Safe Corridor Grants Aimed at Lowering Crash Rates on NJ Highways

Local law enforcement patrolling New Jersey state highways get some help from Trenton to catch speeders and other traffic violators who are driving up the crash and fatality rates.

The state Department of Transportation today announced Safe Corridor grants totalling $3,000,000 for accident-prone highways.

Of the amount, $435,591.51 is being divided by five Monmouth communities for their portions of Route 9.

Marlboro's share is $72,194.14; Manalapan gets $91,911.02; Freehold Borough receives $4,853.39; Freehold Township is given $130,131.44; Howell's portion is $136,501.52.

Lakewood, also fronting Route 9, is the only Ocean County municipality involved, receiving $116,784.63. Just north of the Monmouth line in Middlesex County's stretch of the highway, Old Bridge is tabbed for $109,542.63; Sayreville's share is $40,278.56; and South Amboy is given $18,445.82.

The program, which began in 2003, focuses on 14 ten-mile stretches of highway with histories of high crash rates, say DOT officials. The grants are funded through fines, which are doubled in Safe Corridors. The higher the need for enhancements based on the newest data, the higher the funding amount.

Municipalities use the grants to pay police salaries and buy police vehicles, radar gear, computer hardware and software, and related items.

“The New Jersey Department of Transportation’s top priority is safety, and these grants fund local enforcement and capital improvement projects that help make our roads safer,” said NJDOT Commissioner James Simpson in a prepared release.  “The funding helps local governments achieve their objectives without burdening local property taxpayers.”

In Atlantic County, Egg Harbor Township, Hamilton and Pleasantville divide $166,228.51 to enhance safety patrols on their portions of Route 40.

The Route 1 corridor through Union, Middlesex and Mercer Counties is buffeted by Safe Corridor grants totalling $693,124.37. The money is allocated to law enforcement in Elizabeth, Linden, Rahway, Woodbridge, Edison, New Brunswick, North Brunswick, South Brunswick, West Windsor, Lawrence Township and Trenton.

Safety measures for Route 73 in Burlington County merit allotments totalling $205,662.28 for Evesham, Mount Laurel and Maple Shade.

DOT is giving Loch Arbour a $97,750 Local Aid Infrastructure Grant, which supplements road repair and construction in the borough. Lavallette and Lacey Township have won a total of $525,000 in the infrastructure program.