TRENTON – New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti today announced $161.25 million in County Aid to help make infrastructure improvements on the local level. This funding was doubled in Fiscal Year 2018 to become the largest County Aid grants in New Jersey history and this year’s grants maintain that amount provided to counties across the state.

“County Aid is just one of many programs that demonstrate the Murphy Administration’s commitment to improving infrastructure throughout New Jersey at every level of government,” NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said. “This is your gas tax at work—providing vital funds to counties for necessary repairs to roads and bridges under their jurisdiction, without burdening local property taxpayers.”

NJDOT recently announced a new initiative, “Commitment to Communities,” that will enhance our efforts to assist local governments identify more projects and apply for the additional funding made possible through the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) Reauthorization Act of 2016.

Funding for grants-in-aid programs to counties and municipalities increased from $190 million per year to $430 million under the TTF reauthorization.

The Transportation Trust Fund is an essential tool in maintaining and enhancing the County transportation system. These state funds are available for eligible projects identified in the County’s Annual Transportation Program (ATP).  Projects may be improvements to public roads and bridges under County jurisdiction, or other transportation related work.

The State’s 21 counties will receive a total of $161.25 million through the County Aid program that will help maintain local roads and bridge, over which thousands of motorists travel daily, in a state of good repair. The grants are being funded through the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund.

County Aid funds are appropriated by the Legislature annually for the improvement of public roads and bridges under county jurisdiction. Public transportation and other transportation projects also are included.  County Aid funds are apportioned based on population and centerline miles in each county, and each county selects the projects that receive funding. Counties are required to submit eligible projects to NJDOT for approval prior to February 1, 2019.