The NJTPA is working with its federal partners, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), subregions and other state and local agencies to make travel safer and more reliable for all who use our region’s transportation system. To support these efforts, the NJTPA solicits candidate projects for implementation under two safety funding programs each fiscal year.
Local Safety Program
The federally funded Local Safety Program (LSP) is a component of wider safety planning at the NJTPA, supporting construction of quick-fix, high-impact safety improvements on county and local roadway facilities in the NJTPA region. Projects on State, U.S. and Interstate highways are not eligible for funding under this program. Since its inception with a pilot program in 2004, the NJTPA has approved projects to allocate over $10 million in Local Safety Program funds for quick-fix, high impact safety improvements. Projects supported by this program have included new and upgraded traffic signals, signage, pedestrian indications, crosswalks, curb ramps, pavements markings and other improvements to increase the safety of drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.
The Local Safety Program:
- Typically addresses NJTPA and/or NJDOT derived high priority crash locations on County or Local Roadways
- Projects must be quick fix, supported with detailed crash data and have minimal or no environmental or cultural resource impacts (eligible for programmatic Categorical Exclusion from FHWA)
- Funds the construction phase of work only, and therefore planning, design and right-of-way acquisition are the responsibility of the sponsor
- Funded annually in the Transportation Improvement Program at $2 Million per year
On July 26, 2010, The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority approved the following projects for the FY 2011 Local Safety Program. The total funding amount is $2,509,000.
1.) City of Jersey City – Central Avenue Pedestrian Improvements from Jefferson Avenue to North Street
This project proposes improvements to twenty-two (22) intersections including new pedestrian countdown signal heads, curb ramps with detectable warning surfaces, international crosswalks, textured pavement crosswalks, and the replacement of regulatory, warning and pedestrian signs. This project is intended to improve pedestrian visibility and safety along a busy, urban commercial business corridor. ($477,000)
2.) Essex County – Township of Irvington, CR 603 (Springfield Avenue) at 40th Street/Florence Avenue
This project proposes improvements to an offset intersection including a new traffic signal system, pedestrian countdown indications, paving, lane designations, crosswalks, pedestrian and school signage. This project is intended to improve safety and the overall operation of a high pedestrian volume intersection adjacent to a grammar school, residences and two bus stops. ($450,000)
3.) City of Newark – Wilson Avenue Intersection Improvements at Lafayette Street, Houston Street, and Avenue L
This project proposes improvements to three (3) intersections including new traffic signal systems, intersection realignment, construction of curbs and sidewalks, paving, striping, crosswalks and installation of LED warning signs. This project is intended to improve pedestrian safety and reduce vehicle/truck collisions. ($500,000)
4.) Hudson County – Town of Guttenberg, North Bergen Township, City of Union City and West New York, JFK Boulevard
This project proposes replacing all existing 8” incandescent traffic signal heads with new 12” LED modules at forty-four (44) intersections. The newer, brighter modules are intended to increase visibility and improve safety at these intersections. ($385,000)
5.) Somerset County – Boroughs of Bound Brook and Manville CR 527 (South Main Street) and CR 533 (Main Street)
This project proposes overheight vehicle detectors and dynamic signs in advance of two (2) railroad overpasses with recurring crashes involving trucks hitting low clearance bridge structures. ($197,000)
6.) Monmouth County – Borough of Red Bank, CR 10 (Front Street/River Road) Corridor
This project proposed improvements including minor roadway reconstruction to standardized lane widths and turning lanes, concrete bulbouts/channelization islands and associated drainage improvements, skid-resistant surface treatment, pavement markings, ADA facilities, high visibility crosswalks, solar powered flashing warning beacon, and traffic signal upgrades. This project is intended to improve safety and reduce pedestrian/vehicle conflicts along a busy commercial corridor. ($500,000)
Projects previously selected for the Local Safety Program are summarized in the Attachment entitled "LSP Projects".
High Risk Rural Roads Program
SAFETEA-LU, the federal transportation funding legislation, has specifically set-aside federal safety funds to address travel safety needs in rural areas.
First solicited by the NJTPA in FY 2009, the High Risk Rural Roads Program (HRRRP) provides federal funds for construction improvements to address safety problems ONLY on roadways that are functionally classified as rural major collector, rural minor collector or rural local roads and have a crash rate that exceeds the statewide average for those functional classes of roadways. Projects supported by this program have included skid-resistant surface treatments, guiderails, reflective pavement markings, rumbles strips and rumble stripes, safety edge, enhanced and advanced warning signs.
The High Risk Rural Roads Program:
- Projects must be on roadways functionally classified as rural major collector, rural minor collector or rural local roads with a crash rate that exceeds the statewide average for those functional classes of roadways.
- Projects must have minimal or no environmental or cultural resource impacts (eligible for programmatic Categorical Exclusion from FHWA)
- Funds the construction phase of work only, and therefore planning, design and right-of-way acquisition are the responsibility of the sponsor
- Funded annually in the Transportation Improvement Program at $1 million per year
On July 26, 2010, The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority approved the following projects for the FY 2011 High Risk Rural Roads Program. The total funding amount is $802,235.
1.) Sussex County – Town of Montague CR 653 from State Route 206 to New Mashipacong Road
This project is intended to improve a 4 mile roadway segment with skid-resistant surface treatment, pavement markings and striping, flexible delineators, regulatory warning signs, and bicycle safety grates. The project is intended to reduce crossovers, roadway departures, and loss of vehicle control. ($463,235)
2.) Warren County – White and Hope Townships, County Route 519 from Route 46 to CR 521
This project is intended to improve a 6.2 mile roadway segment including inventory and replacement of existing road signs w/ultra high performance reflective sheeting, wet reflective pavement markings, increased roadway edge line from 4” to 6”, and roadway delineators at curves. The project is intended to reduce off road crashes. ($339,000)
Projects previously selected for the High Risk Rural Roads Program are summarized in the Attachment entitled "HRRR Projects".
Regarding both programs, once projects are approved for funding by the NJTPA Board of Trustees, grantees will work directly with the NJDOT Division of Local Aid and Economic Development to fulfill federal project requirements. Successful project sponsors must be aware that although these are reimbursement programs, NO CONSTRUCTION OR ADVERTISING OF THE PROJECT CAN OCCUR UNTIL A FEDERAL AUTHORIZATION IS RECEIVED.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Christine Mittman
Project Manager
973-639-8448
cmittman@njtpa.org