Long Branch, Eatontown Receive Local Aid Grants from State for Road Improvements

Long Branch and Eatontown are two of 36 municipalities in Monmouth County that will receive a local aid grant from the state government, according to a press release issued by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) on Thursday.

Local aid grants are allocated to reduce the impact on taxpayers of municipal projects that repair infastructure, advance safety or improve quality of life, the NJDOT explained. 

Long Branch will receive $226,250 in funds for improvements to Sairs Avenue.

Eatontown will receive $185,000 for roadwork on the intersection of Wall Street and Parker Road.

The grants are part of a package of 406 local aid grants worth $86.5 million announced for municipalities across the state, according to the NJDOT. The bulk of the grants will be awarded under the municipal aid program, including Hazlet's, with 377 grants totaling $76.2 million. Another 29 Transportation Enhancement grants for quality-of-life, bicycle and pedestrian safety projects totaling $10.3 million were also announced. Both grant programs are competitive, with applications rated on their merits by NJDOT and other transportation officials.

“These grants enable municipalities to stretch their resources and advance important roadway projects and other safety and quality-of-life improvements that benefit all who share the road, including pedestrians and bicyclists,” said NJDOT Commissioner James Simpson in the release.

A total of 660 applications were submitted for this round of state-funded local aid.

Under the aid grant program, each county is apportioned a share of the total funding based on population and the number of local centerline miles. Municipalities compete for portions of their county’s share.  NJDOT provides 75 percent of the grant amount when a town awards a contract and the remaining 25 percent upon completion of the project.