North Jersey Municipalities Encouraged to Take Action on Complete Streets-Related Solutions

Free workshop trainings and technical assistance provided

The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) and Sustainable Jersey announced today a coordinated effort to provide free training and technical assistance to advance complete streets implementation at the local level. Additional collaborators include the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers University, the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Together North Jersey.

“The concept of complete streets is to design streets for all users and all ability levels. The idea is to give people safe options for walking and biking while also accommodating cars, freight and transit. The successful implementation of this concept requires a focus on context and the unique needs of the community,” explained Renee Haider, the co-director of Sustainable Jersey.

While New Jersey leads the nation in the number of complete streets policies adopted, moving forward with changes can be challenging. “We know that municipalities need more knowledge, skills and resources to turn their ideas for complete streets into reality,” said NJTPA Acting Executive Director Mary D. Ameen. “The workshops and technical assistance will help communities get these ideas implemented at the local level.”

The effort includes two workshops and a Complete Streets Technical Assistance Program. The free, day-long workshop to advance complete streets implementation at the local level is offered on two days: June 26 in Newark and June 27 in New Brunswick. The workshop is oriented primarily for municipal officials and staff, and is open to anyone interested in complete streets, including consultants and the public. Although there is no charge to attend the workshop, advance registration is required. For more information and to register visit http://bit.ly/CompleteStreetsWorkshop2018.

The Complete Streets Technical Assistance Program will support municipal government efforts to implement complete streets in nine municipalities. Selected participants will receive free direct technical assistance to complete a specific task related to advancing a complete streets initiative in their communities. The program is open to municipalities in the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority’s region (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties). Applications for technical assistance are only being accepted online via the application portal at http://bit.ly/2018CompleteStreetsApp. The deadline for applications is July 27, 2018.