Dysfunction at the state level has not brought municipal road projects to a screeching halt, though it may cost local taxpayers extra if state funds remain delayed.
As the News went to press on July 15, Gov. Chris Christie and the state Senate were still at an impasse on how to replenish the Transportation Trust Fund, and the governor subsequently suspended $3.5 billion in what he deemed to be “nonessential” road construction.
The question is how the row at the statehouse will trickle down to impact road construction projects planned this year in Plainsboro and West Windsor that are slated to receive state funding.
In West Windsor, there are several projects for which the township was awarded state municipal aid grants. However, according to Pat Ward, director of community development, the township funds projects through its capital budget and the grants are later funded on a reimbursement basis.
The township has already completed the first phase of Alexander Road improvements, which involved resurfacing the Alexander Road east from Vaughn Drive to Roszel Road. The project received state grants of $250,000 to help defray more than half the cost. The township has already received 75 percent of the state money and is still awaiting the remaining 25 percent.
The second phase of the Alexander Road resurfacing will improve the westerly side of Alexander from Vaughn Drive to Roszel Road and there are $159,000 in state grants. The township will solicit bids in the next few weeks and aims to complete the project by year’s end. Meanwhile, $225,000 in state grants was recently awarded for the third phase of resurfacing, for the easterly section of Alexander Road from Vaughn Drive to U.S. 1.
“Once there’s a certain amount of progress shown, you can submit for up front funding. The last 25 percent is not disbursed until everything is completed,” said township engineer Francis Guzik.
In other words, the township first pays for its projects through bonds and capital funds, and the state grants are disbursed later. The ongoing debate at the state level so far have not affected project schedules, but when the township will receive state grant monies is anyone’s guess. Township staff were also unsure of potential financial impacts as a result of the state delaying grant reimbursements, which are used to pay down bond debt.
Other municipal projects with state grant approvals include bike paths from the section of Conover Road from South Post Road to Galston Drive, though Ward said that project is still in the design and environmental permitting process.
Another municipal project is the relocation of the Vaughn Drive bus shelter from its current position near the Alexander Road intersection to a safer location closer to the train station. The state grant is for $43,000 and project completion is scheduled before year’s end.
However, this does not mean the state transportation trust fund crisis has not stymied any projects in West Windsor.
Ward said that a Mercer County project for Route 571 seeking federal and state funding may be impacted. Still in the planning stages, that project calls for widening the stretch of Princeton-Hightstown Road from Clarksville to Cranbury Road and also add bike lanes and sidewalks. It’s a project that’s been in the planning stage for many years, and now might be further impacted.
As for state-level projects, it is safe to assume that the timeline for improving N.J. Transit’s train station parking lots at the Princeton Junction train station has not been accelerated by the lack of funds.
In Plainsboro, township administrator Anthony Cancro said the work stoppage on all non-essential DOT projects “does not immediately impact our projects.”
“A percentage of the funds is supposed to be available at the project’s start,” Cancro said. “Delayed DOT funding does not immediately impact our projects since we properly budget for them in the capital ordinance. However, DOT money is a funding source of the capital ordinance and is an essential factor in completely paying for the projects.”
Three township projects, Plainsboro Road phases I, II, III, have been approved for state grants. Phase I improvements have been completed and include repaving the section of Plainsboro Road from the Parkway Avenue intersection to the Plainsboro Firehouse. The state’s $300,000 grant covers 70 percent of the cost.
Phase II includes repaving the stretch of Plainsboro Road from the firehouse to the beginning of the train bridge after Maple Avenue. The township has budgeted roughly $350,000 for the project and is scheduled to award a construction contact in August. If disbursed, the state grant would cover the entire cost of the project.
The third phase improvements for Plainsboro Road goes from the train bridge to the Community Gardens. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2017, and the $375,000 state grant covers 70 percent of the project cost.
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