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Pallone Secures $850,000 for Highland Park to Create Safer Roads for Pedestrians, Protected Bicycle Lanes

August 5, 2024

Washington, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) announced today he has secured $850,000 in federal community project funding for Highland Park to undertake the construction of protected bicycle lanes, pedestrian safety measures, and comprehensive roadway reconstruction. This new federal investment aims to protect pedestrians, advance ADA accessibility, and create safe cycling infrastructure in the Borough.

“This project represents a bold step toward a safer and more sustainable Highland Park. The funding I’ve secured will revamp the community’s infrastructure with protected bicycle lanes, enhanced pedestrian safety measures, and extensive roadway upgrades. These improvements will safeguard pedestrians, improve ADA accessibility, and foster safe cycling routes,” said Congressman Pallone at a press conference in Highland Park this morning.

The federal funding will support infrastructure improvements on N. 8th Avenue and Magnolia/Benner Streets. The Highland Park Police Department has documented long-standing vehicular speeding issues on N. 8th Avenue. The installation of dedicated buffered bicycle lanes will help to calm traffic and improve safety. These streets, which parallel Raritan Avenue (NJ State Highway 27), are set to be converted to one-way traffic and equipped with dedicated bike lanes and necessary ADA upgrades.

In 2022, U.S. pedestrian deaths nationwide reached the highest level in 41 years(link is external). A recent study(link is external) also found New Jersey to be the most dangerous state for pedestrians, with 30.3% of all fatalities being pedestrians compared with the national figure of 17.3%. Out of the 3,030 total traffic deaths recorded in New Jersey, 916 were pedestrians(link is external). Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports(link is external) that each day, approximately 700 people are injured in crashes involving a motor vehicle and a bicyclist. By investing in these critical infrastructure improvements, Highland Park is taking proactive steps to reverse these alarming trends, ensuring that residents can navigate their community safely, whether on foot, bicycle, or in a vehicle.

"We are delighted to learn of this significant federal allocation for our road safety improvements, courtesy of Congressman Frank Pallone," said Elsie Foster, Mayor of Highland Park. "We take pedestrian and bicyclist safety very seriously in our town and we are proud to have a very active Safe Walking and Cycling Committee that works with us on addressing the challenges we face in this area. This federal allocation will go a very long way in making some of our busiest streets safer and more accessible for a variety of uses. Thank you to our biggest and most effective advocate in DC, Congressman Pallone, for securing this vital allocation."

"As someone who frequently walks North 8th Ave for exercise, I have noticed some serious problems with pedestrian safety," said Alan Shapiro, a local resident. "I have brought these concerns to the attention of the Mayor, Council, and the Highland Park Police Department. All departments have been extremely responsive. I'm appreciative for the steps they've taken to date to address these concerns. But I do know that more can be done. The federal funds that Congressman Pallone has directed to our town will enable Highland Park to improve our quality of life while ensuring greater safety and security for our Borough.  This allocation of funds is sincerely appreciated and we are grateful."

Watch a livestream of the press conference here(link is external).

The funding for this project was requested by Pallone in the Fiscal Year 2025 annual spending bill. Each year, members of the U.S. House may request community funding projects in their district to direct federal resources toward the biggest needs in their communities.