Bernardsville in Somerset County was recently designated as a Transit Village, the Murphy Administration announced.
New Jersey’s Transit Village Initiative connects designated municipalities with a task force comprised of nine state agencies that help implement mixed-use development and Complete Streets accommodations near transit facilities.
Complete Streets policies are designed to promote safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other users of New Jersey roadways. With the Transit Village designation, Bernardsville seeks to promote growth and increase transit access and utilization.
The agencies that make up the Transit Village Task Force, which includes the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and NJ TRANSIT, can provide funding and technical assistance through their programs to municipalities that have been designated as a Transit Village.
NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor explained how Bernardsville was a good fit.
“Bernardsville has taken steps to promote mixed-used development and businesses in its downtown near the historic train station that promote increased transit use and enhance the quality of life for residents,” O’Connor said.
Bernardsville’s objective with its Transit Village designation is to create a pedestrian-friendly, vibrant downtown with the NJ Transit Gladstone Branch Train Station as the focal point. The rail line provides service to Newark Penn Station and transfer service to New York Penn Station.
Over the past several years, the Borough has adopted a Complete Streets policy and updated zoning ordinances to encourage mixed-used development near the train station, promote growth in and around downtown, and create a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.
Transit Village designation provides:
- State of New Jersey commitment to the municipality’s redevelopment vision
- Coordination and technical assistance among state agencies that comprise the Transit Village Task Force
- Priority consideration for certain funding opportunities
