Publication date: January 2007
  

Finance

New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund

Major funding is provided to transportation through the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund. Established in 1984, the Fund primarily uses revenues from a constitutionally dedicated state gas tax. Of the $2.74 billion budget for NJDOT and NJ TRANSIT in FY 06, the Trust Fund contributed $1.205 billion. The Trust Fund enables New Jersey to take advantage of all available federal and state monies for transportation.

Capital Program

The program is based on a New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund appropriation in fiscal year 2006 of $1.205 billion and $7 million for airport safety.

Federal funds are assumed at a total level of $1.414 billion, including $978 million from the Federal Highway Administration and $436 million from the Federal Transit Administration.

This capital program is the product of extensive deliberations and outreach. The annual program — together with a draft multi-year plan — has been developed with the participation of New Jersey's three metropolitan planning organizations. These bodies, comprised largely of county and municipal representatives, are responsible for planning and approving multi-year transportation improvements.

Construction contracts: NJDOT

Consultant selections: NJDOT

Construction contracts: NJ TRANSIT

Consultant contracts: NJ TRANSIT

Transportation Trust Fund for Counties and Municipalities

The State Aid Program

County Aid: $78,750,00

Discretionary Aid:$17,500,000
These funds are set aside to address emergent or regional needs. Any county or municipality may apply at any time. These projects are approved at the discretion of the Commissioner of Transportation.

Municipal Aid: $78,750,000

Route 52 Rendering

This is how these funds are distributed:

$5,000,000: Alotted to cities that qualify for urban aid under N.J.S.A.52:27D-178 et seq. "State Aid to Municipalities for Services and to Offset Property Taxes" as determined by the NJDOT Division of Local Aid and Economic Development and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Funds are allotted based on a percentage of the amount of funds allocated to each eligible municipality by Community Affairs.

$2,521,000: Allotted to Jersey City and Newark subject to review and approval of an ATP. This allocation is ensured at a level not less than their combined total of 1984 apportioned Federal Aid Urban System Funds and state match, including their portion of any non-attributable funds made available to Small Urban Areas.

Other Local Aid Programs

Safety First Sign #77

• Local Aid for Bicycle Trails
  NJDOT has provided $4 million to local governments to support projects that will result in the creation of a new independent bicycle facility or to make an existing roadway bicycle and vehicle compatible.
• Smart Growth Initiatives
  NJDOT has provided $1 million to provide assistance to counties and municipalities for Economic Development Authority projects and other investments in support of the Governor's Smart Growth policies.
• Local Aid for Centers of Place
  Each year NJDOT provides funds to those communities that qualify as approved Centers of Place through the State Office of Smart Growth. NJDOT has provided $2 million for this project in fiscal year 2006.
• Transportation Enhancement Program
  Funds are provided from the Safe Accountable, Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) and may be used for non-traditional transportation projects with a direct transportation relationship that enhance quality of life while reaching the greatest number of people. NJDOT has provided $5 million for this program in the fiscal year 2006.
• Local Scoping and Local Lead Programs
  These programs provide federal funds directly to counties and major cities for the advancement of projects through the National Environment Policy Act, design, right of way, and/or construction. Projects are selected through the participation of the local governments in the metropolitan planning process.
• Park and Rides
  In an effort to promote alternate modes of transportation, NJDOT provides assistance to communities in identifying park and ride opportunities. This assistance may be in the form of technical assistance and/or funding.
• Local Aid for Transit Village
  Each year two million dollars is funded for communities selected for the Transit Village Program. The program focuses on projects that encourage mixed-use redevelopment near passenger transportation facilities such as bike paths, sidewalks, streetscapes and signs.
• Local Safety Program
  The three regional metropolitan planning organizations receive one million dollars each to fund counties and municipalities that eliminate safety hazards on roadways. Pedestrian and motorist safety projects focus on crash prone locations, intersections, traffic signals, lane delineations, crosswalks and pavement markings. The projects need to be construction ready and deliverable in a short period of time.
• Highway Safety Fund Grant Program
  The Highway Safety Grant Program is funded through fines and penalities collected in stretches of state highways designated as Safe Corridors. This program funds local law enforcement efforts such as education, enforcement and capital improvements. In 2006 this program will provide each designated municipality with up to $73,000 in reimbursement for eligible efforts.

Route 1 and Olden Avenue Hyperbuild project

Bridge Bond Update

The monies were available as a result of the Bridge Rehabilitation and Improvement/Railroad Right of Way Preservation land acts approved by voters in 1983 and 1989.

A total of 220 local bridge projects received $250 million of which $143,394,805 has been expended. Of the $80 million appropriated for public transportation (NJ TRANSIT) projects, $80,000,000 has been expended. The NJ TRANSIT projects include the rehabilitation of the Bergen Tunnel, work a the Hoboken Terminal and Yard as well as the new Union Station on the Rahway Valley line. Of the $170 million appropriated for statewide NJDOT projects, $156,808,113 has been expended.