Aberdeen Receives Local Aid Grant from State for Lakeshore Drive Improvements

Aberdeen and Matawan 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. 

Aberdeen will receive $185,000 in funds for improvements to Lakeshore Drive in the Cliffwood Beach section of the township. The road, which runs along the Raritan Bay, is prone to flooding.

Matawan will receive $200,000 for roadwork on William Street, which connects Freneau Avenue and Ryers Lane. 

Keyport and Old Bridge were also among the grant recipients. Keyport will receive $250,000 for improvements to Elizabeth Street while Old Bridge will receive $321,280 for trans-Old Bridge Road resurfacing. (Read about Hazlet, Keansburg and Union Beach here.)

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.