You are viewing 6 posts in the category Central New Jersey
NJ DOT Announces New Round of Transportation Alternatives and Safe Routes to School Funds
Applications are now being accepted for the 2014 Safe Routes to School (SRTS) and Transportation Alternatives (TAP) Programs. The solicitation for these federally funded programs is being administered by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), in partnership with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), and the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO).
For more information about the SRTS grant, see the solicitation letter here
For more information about the TAP grant, see the solicitation letter here
NJDOT’s application guidance document for the SRTS program containing the necessary information for completing an application and answering questions regarding eligibility and program requirements can be viewed here. The application guidance document for TAP can be viewed here
Applications for both SRTS and TAP are available through NJDOT’s online grant management system, SAGE (System for Administering Grants Electronically). The application deadline is May 15, 2014.
Visit NJDOT’s Local Aid and Economic Development website to learn more about both the SRTS and TAP grants.
Some key things to remember before applying -
NJDOT has heard concerns about Technical Assistance and will be providing more technical support this year. Look for an upcoming webinar, local training/workshops and a tip sheet to improve you application. NJ Safe Routes to School already has developed a TIP sheet for SRTS.
Program managers like to emphasize that both programs distribute funds for reimbursement.
DVRPC has control of about half of the TAP money allocated to the South Jersey counties in its jurisdiction and will be prioritizing these three categories:
- Provisions of facilities for bicycles and pedestrians
- Conversion of abandoned railway corridors to trails
- Stormwater management projects
Take Action - Please help New Jersey keep its federal Recreational Trails Program
Improvements to the Gloucester Township Bike Path, part of the Gloucester-Mt. Ephraim Trail is awaiting funding from the 2013 round of the Rec Trails Program.
Can New Jersey Plug Into “The Circuit” Trails? (NJ Bike and Walk Coalition)
PA and NJ Trail Caucus Meetings Coming In June
On behalf of The Circuit Coalition, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia invites you to the launch of the Circuit Commitment Campaign.
We are bringing together trail enthusiasts and supporters like you for two informational sessions in June (one for PA, one for NJ). These caucus meetings are the kickoff to the Circuit Commitment Campaign.
The Circuit Commitment Campaign's goal is to replenish the DVRPC (Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission)'s Regional Trail Fund, which is a competitive grant program established by the William Penn Foundation in 2010. The fund is distributing nearly $10 million in our nine-county region, and is helping plan, design and build nearly 40 miles of trail.
This grant program, if continued, could have a major impact on our trails! So we need people like you, who want to see The Circuit's unfinished trails built, to encourage County Commissioners (in Pennsylvania) & Freeholders (in New Jersey) to allocate a second $10 million for the years 2014-2016. This money will continue the momentum of that first grant cycle, moving us closer to realizing the vision of a region connected by a world-class network of bike-ped trails: The Circuit.
Get involved in creating new trails for your community by attending your state's trail caucus!
The Pennsylvania Caucus
June 17th, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Haverford Community, Recreation & Environmental Center
Register to attend here
New Jersey Caucus
June 19th, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Camden County Boathouse
Register to attend here
The Pennsylvania Caucus meeting will provide an overview of the next set of Circuit trails currently under development in Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, Bucks and Philadelphia Counties.
The New Jersey Caucus meeting will provide an overview of the next set of Circuit trails currently under development in Mercer, Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties.
At each meeting, we will also discuss the campaign goal and how you can help get this trail funding secured.
Bulls Island Bridge To Close For Construction
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission has announced that The Lumberville-Raven Rock Pedestrian Bridge is scheduled to be shut down at 7AM on Monday, March 4. The bridge closure is expected to remain in place for at least two months. During the shutdown period, pedestrians and bicyclists are urged to use the Centre Bridge-StocktonBridge ( 3.4 miles to the south) or the Uhlerstown-Frenchtown Bridge (9.2 miles to the north) as alternative river crossing points. The Bulls Island Campground remains closed for 2013 due to storm damage.
The suspension bridge was built in 1947 by John Roebling and Sons. The same firm that designed and built the Brooklyn and Golden Gate bridges. You can learn more about Roebling's legacy at the Roebling Museum, which is located in Roebling, NJ of course and is in line with the future Delaware River Heritage Trail.
The Lumberville - Raven Rock Bridge. Photo credit: mtsofan on Twitter.
NJDEP Accepting Recreational Trails Grant Applications
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is accepting applications for Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grants. The deadline for applying is February 15th, 2013
These grants are relatively small, the maximum allowable award is $25,000. But these grants can be combined with other funding sources and on their own can fund signage, trail maintenance/rehabilitiation or complete small sections of pathway in parks. RTP grants cannot pay for feasibility studies or land aquisition for non-motorized trails.
For details on the State Rec Trails Program go to http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/natural/trail_grants.htm.
