Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick announced Thursday that the New Jersey Department of Transportation has awarded $2.5 million in pedestrian safety and roadway preservation grants to 14 municipalities in the 21st District.

The award includes $175,000 towards a road preservation project for Collyer Lane in downtown Basking Ridge. Another $195,000 is earmarked for another phase of a road improvement project on Main Avenue and Central Avenue in Long Hill Township.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Jr., Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick, and Assemblywoman Nancy Muñoz, all R-Union, Morris and Somerset, announced today that the Department of Transportation had approved the roadway preservation and pedestrian safety grants.

Tom Timko, Bernards Township Engineer, said the township had been waiting for the grant announcement.

The road project for Collyer Lane, which leads past the municipal building, is planned for this year, Timko said. The proposal also includes paving and curb and sidewalk replacement, Timko said.

In the announcement, Kean said, "Our municipalities work hard to stretch taxpayer dollars, and it is always helpful when the state works with them in order to ensure that our roads are safe and well maintained."

"This funding will help us repair important local roads and keep pedestrians safe in our communities," added Bramnick.

"These grants are a major funding source for needed projects throughout the state and demonstrate the successful partnership that exists between local and state government," said Muñoz.

"This funding will help us repair important local roads and keep pedestrians safe in our communities," Bramnick said.

A complete breakdown of the grant funds awarded may be found in the table below.