For Immediate Release – May 17, 2019
MIDDLETOWN, NJ – Middletown Township today announced that the North Jersey Transit Planning Authority (NJTPA) awarded the town $1 million through its 2018 NJ Safe Routes to School Grant to create a safer walking environment for River Plaza Elementary School students and encourage walking and biking to and from school on a daily basis.
Middletown Township, in partnership with the Board of Education, applied to the Safe Routes to School Program last year to obtain funds for pedestrian safety improvements along Hubbard Avenue, which is a pedestrian and motorist thoroughfare to River Plaza Elementary School.
“The Township Committee and I are excited that Middletown was one of 11 towns across New Jersey to receive funding from the NJTPA,” said Mayor Tony Perry. Prior to joining the Township Committee, Perry worked in conjunction with Freeholder Director Tom Arnone when he was a River Plaza resident to help improve the walkability for children and parents to the school. “This has been a 3-year endeavor that many of us have dedicated our efforts to, so it’s a real win for our community.”
Some of the improvements within the project area may include sidewalk enhancements and a new barrier fence between the sidewalk and Hubbard Avenue designed to better protect pedestrians. River Plaza Elementary School has a student population of 285. Of these students, 174 live within 2 miles of the school campus, so they will directly benefit from the completed projects.
“The River Plaza Elementary School community, the District and the Township have all worked very hard to put this application together and it is greatly appreciated, “said Dr. Bill George, Superintendent of Schools. “River Plaza is an avid walking/biking community and this project will bring much-needed safety enhancements to the area.”
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