(Trenton) – The Murphy Administration today announced $13.6 million in Fiscal Year 2024 Safe Streets to Transit Program (SSTT) grants for 29 projects in 12 counties. This year’s grants represent the largest amount of funds provided in a single year for the Safe Streets to Transit Program.
“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 more fair and equitable, and the Safe Streets to Transit Program helps do that by providing communities the funds to improve infrastructure so residents may safely travel to and from transit facilities.”
“The safe, reliable, and equitable transportation system of the future cannot be achieved unless we meet the needs of all residents, whether they walk, roll or ride,” NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said. “I am grateful that Governor Murphy and the Legislature provided extra funding for the Safe Routes to Transit Program, giving even more municipalities the resources they need to improve sidewalks and provide safer, more convenient crosswalks near bus and rail stations, promoting the use of public transit.”
The Safe Streets to Transit (SSTT) program is one of several pedestrian safety initiatives funded through the State Transportation Trust Fund (TTF). The SSTT program provides funding to counties and municipalities to improve the overall safety and accessibility for mass transit riders walking to transit facilities. The program encourages transit users to walk to transit stations and facilitates the implementation of projects and activities that will improve pedestrian conditions within a 1-mile radius of a transit facility or station.
Traditionally, the SSTT program provides $1 million in grants annually. This year, additional funding was appropriated for Grants-in-Aid in the amount of $20 million for the Safe Streets to Transit Program, Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities/Accommodations, and the Transit Village Program. Of the $20 million, $10.8 million was provided for the SSTT Program. An additional $1.8 million was also appropriated for Pedestrian Safety Grants and applied to the SSTT program. These additional funds, combined with the usual $1 million for the program, brings the total FY24 SSTT funding to $13.6 million.
Projects are awarded on a competitive basis taking into consideration proximity to a transit facility, safety, accessibility, project need and equity criteria to benefit low-income and minority populations. Click here to see a list of the 28 municipalities and Mercer County receiving FY 2024 Safe Streets to Transit grants totaling $13.6 million.
The Safe Streets to Transit Program, as well as other Local Aid state-funded grant programs, benefit residents by enabling local governments to complete necessary projects on roads under their jurisdiction without burdening local taxpayers. For NJDOT news follow us on X (Twitter) @NewJerseyDOT or on the NJDOT Facebook page.