River towns get more money from bridge panel

Lambertville will get $650,000 more and New Hope, $20,000, from the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.

By: Linda Seida
   Lambertville and New Hope were among the six communities awarded a total of nearly $2.4 million Monday for transportation improvements by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.
   Lambertville will receive $650,000 for two projects. The award brings Lambertville’s total from the commission’s Compact Authorized Investment Program to $2.21 million.
   New Hope will receive $20,000 to pay for the installation of recessed lighting to illuminate the Aquetong Creek bridge’s sidewalk on South Main Street. With this award, New Hope’s total from the grant program rises to $270,000.
   The Aquetong Creek bridge, owned by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, is used daily by many pedestrians. Although the borough put a sign in the middle of the road to alert and slow drivers, nighttime remained a dangerous time for pedestrians.
   The $40 million Compact Authorized Investment Program began awarding funds to communities impacted by bridge traffic in September 2005. The fifth round of grants brings the total amount disbursed from the fund to more than $30 million.
   The lion’s share of Lambertville’s grant, $500,000, will go toward pedestrian improvements in the area of Quarry and Swan streets, including a traffic signal at the dangerous intersection of Route 165. The city wants a pedestrian-activated signal to completely stop traffic, making pedestrian crossings safer.
   Mayor David Del Vecchio said he is actively negotiating for the traffic signal this week with the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The agency has said the low number of pedestrian crossings at the site plus the configuration of some of the city’s main streets would likely rule out the installation of such a traffic signal.
   "It’s very good news," Mayor Del Vecchio said. "I’m obviously very pleased that the Joint Toll Bridge Commission and the New Jersey commissioners and the governor’s office saw the merits of what we’re doing."
   The remainder of the city’s grant, $150,000, will go toward improvements on George Street. The city plans to reconstruct the roadway and add drainage improvements. Sidewalks and curbs also will be constructed.
   "These grants will finance important projects that will help improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and enhance the safety of drivers and pedestrians," Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell said in a written statement released by the commission. "Local communities will finally be able to move forward with needed infrastructure improvements that, in many cases, they would not have been able to pursue given their other budget needs."
   "Assisting communities in implementing local transportation improvements is critical to their economic growth efforts," New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine said in the same statement. "I look forward to seeing more of the benefits that this commission’s capital improvement program will bring to local residents and commuters."
   The other award winners are Bristol, Pa., with $999,500 for the replacement of 11 traffic signals; Delaware Township, $290,100 to resurface Seabrook Road; Delaware Water Gap Borough, Pa., $300,000 to reconstruct and repair Waring Drive; and Riegelsville, Pa., $132,550 for the Riegelsville Delaware Canal Footbridge Project.