Lakehurst to Submit Roadway Improvement Grant Applications

Lakehurst's Borough Council approved two resolutions that allow administrators to apply for roadway improvement grant money from the state. 

Poplar and Lake Streets are being considered for improvements, as borough officials including Mayor Harry Robbins took a look at the roads, the council said during its regular meeting Thursday. 

Specifics for the improvements, including cost, have not yet been outlined. The council had to approve the two resolutions for the New Jersey Department of Transportation grant applications at its Oct. 4 meeting because the applications are due by Oct. 16 — Lakehurst representatives will meet again on Oct. 18, which would be too late to approve the resolutions.

"I haven't seen the actual specs of the application, but we do have to have it in by Oct. 16, so this is the meeting before that," said Clerk Bernadette Dugan. "They would send the application for [Robbins] to sign once I get the specifics for it."

Both resolutions state that the borough is seeking to improve the roads because it "has established pedestrian safety as a leading priority along its local roads, particularly those heavy traffic areas and areas along the school walking routes."

"We will firm up the details as to what it encompasses, as far as geographically how long and far it's going to go, whether it's roads, sidewalks and curbs," said Council President James Davis who led the meeting in Robbins' absence. 

"We'll get those specifics after we get the application in and find out what they're going to fund," he said. 

It remains to be seen if the state will decide to fund one or both of the roadway improvements, if any.

"We put in and the state decides what they will be funding," Dugan said.