Lambertville and New Hope received funding under the first round, but Stockton still is waiting to see if it gets a grant once the fourth round of funding comes up.
By: Linda Seida
In the third round of funding from a $40 million grant pool, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission has awarded $1,755,150 to Solebury Township for two construction projects.
The commission announced the grant last week when it awarded a total of $6 million to five Delaware River communities for transportation related improvements. In addition to Solebury, the recipients included the New Jersey towns of Frenchtown, Milford and Pohatcong and Lower Mount Bethel, Pa.
The third round of funding under the Compact Authorized Investment Program brings the total amount awarded to river towns that host commission bridges to approximately $27 million.
Stockton, which has applied to the program for $2 million, has not been awarded any funds yet. However, the borough still is in the running for future grants, according to commission spokeswoman Linda Spalinski.
In Solebury, the Board of Supervisors intends to use part of its grant to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians, according to township Manager John Granger.
"I think the board’s very excited about it," he said. "It’s just another step in trying to ensure that residents and pedestrians have safe access across Route 202."
Slightly more than $765,000 will pay for upgrades and crossing improvements of the Route 202 intersection with Route 179 as well as for highway beautification from Route 32 to Route 179.
No fatalities have been reported at the intersection of routes 202 and 179, according to Mr. Granger, but navigating Route 202 is "just a safety issue with the high volume of traffic. Crossing is a major task."
Slightly more than $990,000 will be used for the construction of a pedestrian and bicycle linkage along the east side of Route 32, stretching from the north side of the Route 202 toll bridge to the driveway of the commission’s property. Off-road trails and shoulder improvements are planned for pedestrians and bicyclists to navigate routes 32 and 202 in the vicinity of the toll bridge.
Both projects are scheduled to be completed by 2008.
Stockton Mayor Gregg Rackin remains hopeful the commission will eventually approve the town’s grant application, enabling the borough to pursue projects that will improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety.
"Councilman Nic Messina put in a great application for us that would completely renovate Bridge Street with new streetlights, sidewalks and improved pedestrian crossings," Mayor Rackin said. "I am working closely with DOT on the traffic-calming Stockton gateway plan along Main Street through the entire borough. If these projects do get funded, it would dramatically improve downtown Stockton and would serve all those who either live in, commute through or visit Stockton.
"Perhaps these requests are not at the top of the list right now because the commission is working with us on coming up with a plan for managing the repairs that were recently approved."
The commission is scheduled to begin a $7.5 million upgrade of the Centre Bridge-Stockton span in 2006.
In a statement announcing the grants, Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey said, "Commission bridges transport tens of thousands of vehicles between New Jersey and Pennsylvania every day. That traffic volume can place a substantial burden on the local infrastructure of these river communities. By providing funding to assist in local transportation improvements, the commission is helping to ease the burden on these local towns and municipalities. Without this funding, these communities likely would not have the resources needed to make these much-needed enhancements and improvements."
Also in that statement, Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell said, "Solebury and Lower Mount Bethel are just the latest Pennsylvania communities to benefit from this innovative and forward-thinking grant program. With the commission in the midst of a $640 million capital improvement program to mitigate congestion and improve its infrastructure, it only makes sense that it take steps to improve the traffic conditions on the approach roads in these river communities. Both local residents and commuters will benefit from the transportation improvements being made under this program."
"Local communities and drivers who utilize commission bridges will benefit from a variety of improvements that will be made as part of this round of grant funding," said commission Chairman Philip Mugavero in the same statement. "Intersection improvements, a new park and ride and roadway resurfacing and beautification projects are just some of the projects that will help to reduce congestion in these communities and make for improved travel between Pennsylvania and New Jersey."
"In speaking with local elected officials, it’s clear that this grant program is making it possible to conduct improvements in these communities that they would not otherwise have been able to undertake given the various funding pressures on local budgets," said Robin Wiessmann, vice chairperson of the commission, also in the prepared statement. "These are projects that are much-needed but, until now, the funding simply was not available. The commission is pleased to be able to work with these communities to identify their transportation needs and, where possible, make funding available for projects that will improve traffic flow and reduce congestion."
In September, the commission approved nearly $17 million in grants to 10 communities in the first round of funding. The towns that received funding included Lambertville and New Hope.
In October, an additional $4 million in grants was approved in the second round of funding.