By: centraljersey.com
Hopewell Borough has been awarded close to $300,000 in a grant through the state Department of Transportation.
The grant will be used to make road improvements to Lafayette and Elm streets.
The borough was among 11 municipalities in Mercer County to be awarded a portion of the $78.75 million the state agency earmarked for safety and road improvements throughout New Jersey.
Borough officials estimate the projects will cost $450,000, which will be offset with $290,000 from the state grant and about another $100,000 from its water utility because the project includes installation of a water main on Lafayette Street.
The grant also will allow the borough to complete phase two of road reconstruction work it had begun on Lafayette Street in 2010. The project includes road resurfacing and installation of curbing and drainage.
Lafayette Street is a three-block section between Elm Street on its easterly side and Blackwell Avenue on its westerly side.
A portion of the funds will be used to make road improvements to Elm Street.
Borough Clerk Michele Hovan said the project would get under way in late summer or early fall and could take a couple months to complete.
A total of 370 grants were awarded altogether for road, safety and biking projects.

