Funding has been announced for a new round of Transit Village grants to support neighborhood improvements across New Jersey.
The $1.7 million in fiscal year 2026 funding will be distributed among eight municipalities, including High Bridge in Hunterdon County, as part of New Jersey’s Transit Village program, a state-led effort to encourage smart growth and transit-oriented development.
The program promotes walkable, mixed-use communities built around public transport hubs.
High Bridge is receiving $430,000 for its Commons Park pedestrian walkway project. The park is at the opposite end of Main Street from NJ Transit’s train station in the borough.
"Investing in transit-oriented development revitalizes commuter hubs, creates job opportunities, and makes neighborhoods stronger and safer," Gov. Phil Murphy said in a press release.
The program, a collaborative effort involving multiple state agencies, supports municipalities in creating denser, mixed-use developments near transit facilities. These facilities can include train stations, bus terminals, ferry docks, or light rail stops.
The aim is to reduce car dependency while fostering vibrant, pedestrian-friendly communities where residents can live, work, shop, and play.
Traditionally, the Transit Village program allocates $1 million per year in grant funding.
For fiscal year 2026, an additional $707,000 was provided through an $8 million increase for Grants-in-Aid programs, which also support the Safe Streets to Transit Program and bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
The program currently supports 37 designated Transit Village communities across New Jersey. These municipalities receive coordinated support from the state’s Transit Village Task Force, including priority funding, technical assistance, and expanded eligibility for certain state grants.
Eligible projects must be within one-half mile of the transit facility and are awarded on a competitive basis taking into consideration proximity to a transit facility, walkability, bicycling, project need and equity criteria to benefit low-income and minority populations.
This story was created by reporter Joe Martino, [email protected], with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process..