Point Beach Awarded Million-Dollar Grant To Improve Channel Drive

POINT PLEASANT BEACH – The borough of Point Pleasant Beach was rewarded with a $1 million federal grant on Friday to upgrade Channel Drive.

The upgrades would include new six-foot sidewalks, ADA-compliant curb ramps, curbing, benches, bicycle racks, signage, catch basins, and pipes for stormwater, along with lighting and landscaping improvements.

Paul Kanitra, Point Beach’s mayor who grew up on Channel Drive, was happy to see the borough get the grant to help long-planned renovations to the north end of town.

“This funding comes at an absolutely critical time as we have been working nonstop to try and kickstart the stagnated Fisherman’s Landing project,” Kanitra said on his Facebook page.

“I feel this will be the final piece in that puzzle that ultimately will see the project realized, increase our tax base and help us keep taxes low for residents.

Point Pleasant Beach was one of 10 municipalities in the state to receive grant money through the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA Set-Aside) program, which provides funds to build pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improve access to transportation, create safe routes to school, preserve historic transportation structures, provide environmental mitigation, and create trail projects that serve a transportation purpose while promoting safety and mobility.

“As part of NJDOT’s Commitment to Communities, we work with the three regional planning authorities to provide federal funding to counties and municipalities for local transportation projects that improve safety and strengthen the cultural, aesthetic, and environmental aspects of our transportation system,” NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said in a press release announcing the grants last Thursday.

“The grants announced today will fund projects to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists in 10 North Jersey communities without having to impact local property taxes.”