Town looks for state help with Liberty Way sidewalks.
By: Jessica Beym
The Township Committee announced Monday that it would apply for state funding to help pay for the construction of Liberty Way and for sidewalks on Old Trenton Road.
Township Engineer Cathy Marcelli said the township has been successful in obtaining grant money from the state Department of Transportation for similar projects over the past couple of years.
The construction of sidewalks on the north side of Plainsboro Road and sidewalks from Main Street to Wynnewood Drive along Cranbury Neck Road were funded through the DOT’s Safe Streets to Schools grant.
If the township receives the aid, the money would be used to construct a 2,100-foot portion of sidewalk to connect an existing sidewalk on Old Trenton Road, township officials said. Members of the Township Committee said they also had plans to construct sidewalks on the north side of Plainsboro Road, but that connecting the walk on Old Trenton Road was also a priority.
Through the other DOT grant, the Municipal Aid program, the township previously received $700,00 in funding to complete the portion of Liberty Way that stretches south of Half Acre Road to Cranbury Brook and $223,000 to help fund the 1,250-foot portion north of Half Acre Road.
If the township receives the Municipal Aid grant this year, it would be combined with last year’s grant money for the north portion of Liberty Way, Ms. Marcelli said.
The township has been planning the construction of Liberty Way since 2002 with the hope that the road would divert truck traffic off Route 130 toward the N.J. Turnpike Exit 8A.
Warehouse developers whose facilities border the proposed road have already constructed portions of the road through a developer’s agreement with the township.
In addition to the road, the township is also working with Middlesex County to develop plans for a two-lane bridge that will cross the east part of Brainerd Lake and Cranbury Brook and will connect the portions of Liberty Way east of Route 130.
Township officials said the county has agreed to pay for the cost of design and engineering of the project and will split the cost of the bridge construction with the township.
Ms. Marcelli said the township can apply for the transportation grant every year, and can continue to receive money for the same project, adding that the grant can also help fund the cost of the bridge construction. Township officials said funding the Liberty Way road construction is its priority this year.