For Immediate Release – January 27, 2022
MIDDLETOWN, NJ – Middletown Township today announced that the preliminary engineering phase for its Safe Route to School project for River Plaza Elementary School students has begun. In 2018, North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority awarded the town $1 million through its NJ Safe Routes to School Grant for pedestrian safety improvements along Hubbard Avenue near the school from West Front Street to Navesink River Road.
River Plaza Elementary School has a student population of 260. Roughly two thirds of these families live within two miles of the school campus, so they will directly benefit from this project.
Some of the improvements within the project area will include sidewalk enhancements and a new barrier fence between the sidewalk and Hubbard Avenue designed to better protect pedestrians.
"The Township and School District applied for this grant together, and it's rewarding to see this important project getting off the ground," said Mayor Tony Perry. "These much-needed improvements will help keep our walkers and bikers safe which is a huge priority.”
“The School District is grateful to the Township for their partnership to ensure that each and every child who goes to River Plaza will have a safe walking and bike route to school,” said Middletown Township Board of Education President Frank Capone. “I’m confident that this ongoing partnership will continue to result in a positive impact for both our students and community.”
Consultants engaged by the Township will be performing field surveys and inspections along Hubbard Avenue. Work will be done during business hours and every effort will be made to minimize any inconvenience and complete the work in the shortest possible time, according to lead design consultant GPI.
Once the preliminary layout of the sidewalk improvements is complete, the Township will host a public information session as it progresses through the design and permitting process.
For questions or concerns regarding the work being done, please contact Ryan Birkenstock or Dave Kuhn of GPI at 908.236.09001.
###