BELLEVILLE POST
ESSEXNEWSDAILY.COM
A Bengal birthday!
— See Page 2
Library gets a facelift
— See Page 11
The road warriors
— See Page 18
MARCH 2022
VOL. 35 NO. 37
Belleville to receive $290K grant
By Yael Katzwer Editor On Feb. 15, the Murphy administration announced $8.6 million in 2022 Safe Streets to Transit program grants for 19 municipal projects in nine counties, including $290,000 to Belleville for a pedestrian safety project in the area around Silver Lake Light Rail Station. This year’s grants represent the largest amount of funds provided in a single year for the Safe Streets to Transit program. “Providing safe transportation alternatives for everyone in our state, particularly those who rely on mass transit, is part of my commitment to make New Jersey more fair and equitable,” Gov. Phil Murphy said. “By significantly increasing the amount of money available to the Safe Streets to Transit program, we are making sure people walking to transit facilities can do so safely.” “The increased funding means a record number of communities are receiving Safe Streets to Transit grants this year to improve pedestrian safety throughout the state,” New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane GutierrezScaccetti said. “These grants will allow 19 municipalities to improve sidewalks and provide safe and convenient crosswalks near bus and rail stations, promoting the use of public transit.” SSTT projects are awarded on a competitive basis, taking into consideration proximity to a transit facility, safety, accessibility, project need and applicant’s past performance using other local aid funds. “The grant will be for replacement of sidewalks, installing handicap corners, safer crosswalks, better lighting and some beautification projects,” Councilman Vincent Cozzarelli told the Belleville Post on Feb. 23. “This will be in the area directly around the Silver Lake light rail. Hundreds of people use that form of transportation on a daily and weekly basis, and they should be entitled to a safe, enjoyable experience. We are hoping this grant will
Photo Courtesy of Adam Moss
Silver Lake Station in Belleville, which is receiving a $290,000 grant for a pedestrian safety project from the 2022 Safe Streets to Transit program. help bring that vision into fruition.” Belleville will use the funding to improve two pedestrian corridors that lead to the Silver Lake Light Rail Station: Belmont Avenue and Franklin Street. As stated in the town’s grant application, the walkways on these two streets are not currently compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and have raised, fractured and/or missing sidewalks, which can create tripping hazards to pedestrians. “It is not uncommon to see pedestrians avoiding sidewalks and traveling along the comparatively smoother roadways, which unacceptably endangers pedestrians and highlights the need to promptly improve the sidewalks of Belmont Avenue and Franklin Street,” the application read. Additionally, the town sought the grant because it expects an influx of light rail riders following the completion of a mixed-use complex on Belmont Avenue. This development will
create 232 residential units. “In terms of new developments, we not only clean up contaminated and blighted property and get new, increased revenues, but we also have the opportunity to apply for and receive grants which otherwise may have been unavailable,” Mayor Michael Melham told the Belleville Post on Feb. 22. “This is a perfect example of smart redevelopment leading to infrastructure improvements which help all Belleville residents.” As a result of the current unsafe conditions and the projected future increase in pedestrians, the township plans to construct ADA-compliant ramps at all intersections; replace sidewalks and driveway aprons that present tripping hazards; reset streetscape pavers; and install crosswalk striping, stop bars and a pedestrian crossing light. This project is expected to reset 230 square yards of pavers, as well as to install See $290K GRANT, Page 10