FREEHOLD – State officials have awarded Freehold Borough a $400,000 grant to improve pedestrian access to the town’s bus station.
In a press release, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the award of $1.8 million in Safe Streets to Transit program grants to seven municipalities. Freehold Borough was one of the seven municipalities and received the largest individual grant at $400,000.
According to municipal officials, the grant is to be used to provide improved pedestrian access to the bus station property between West Main, Throckmorton and Broad streets.
“The Safe Streets to Transit program uses Transportation Trust Fund dollars to improve safety and accessibility for mass transit riders in the vicinity of transit facilities,” Councilman George Schnurr said. “These funds serve to advance transportation initiatives without burdening local property taxpayers.”
Borough officials said details regarding the type of improvements that may be made in the vicinity of the bus station have not been determined.
A typical grant for the Safe Streets to Transit program can include intersection safety improvements that eliminate pedestrian barriers; new sidewalks, curb ramps, sidewalk widening, and major reconstruction; safety enhancements for pedestrian access to transit stops; traffic control devices that benefit pedestrians; traffic calming measures; pedestrian signals and push buttons at key intersections; pedestrian-oriented lighting and major sidewalk reconstruction.
According to municipal officials, the $400,000 DOT grant is part of $2.35 million in grants and aid Freehold Borough has received since 2020.
Prior to receiving the $400,000 grant, municipal officials said they received $310,000 from the DOT for road work on Frances Drive, Berkley Place and Yard Ave; $305,000 from the DOT for road work on Ford Avenue; $173,158 from Monmouth County for road work on Ford Avenue; $250,000 from Monmouth County for improvements to Liberty Street Park; $889,000 from the state for improvements at the Freehold Public Library; $5,340 from the federal government for safety vests for the Freehold Borough Police Department; $5,000 from the state for consulting services; and $9,475 from Monmouth County for restoration of the doors at the Freehold Fire Department.
“Freehold Borough has been very successful in obtaining grants since the beginning of 2020,” Schnurr said. “This is due to our business administrator, Steve Gallo, our grant writing consultant, Millennium Strategies, Mayor Kevin Kane and the Borough Council’s great working relationship with the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners and our New Jersey state legislative team of Sen. Vin Gopal, Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling and Assemblywoman Joann Downey.”