Absecon wins $578,000 DOT grant for raised crosswalks and $275,000 municipal aid for Delaware Avenue

Absecon City announced two transportation grants at its Dec. 5 council meeting that officials said will fund pedestrian-safety and roadwork projects next year.

City Engineer Ed told the council the city received a $275,000 2025 Municipal Aid grant for Delaware Avenue (Route 9 to Hon Avenue) and a $578,000 grant from the same DOT funding source for raised crosswalks across Absecon. "We received $275,000 for Delaware Avenue," Ed said, and the raised-crosswalk grant "will probably get us about 15 to 20 of these raised crosswalks out of this grant." He said the raised crosswalks function as speed-calming raised crossings at intersections near crosswalks and that locations will be chosen after further review.

The engineer said Delaware Avenue will be part of the 2025 road capital program and that Crestview Avenue is nearing substantial completion, with milling and paving scheduled next week weather permitting. He also said all but one temporary easement for the Shore Road project have been secured and that final easement paperwork must be signed before the project can proceed to plan review and bid.

Ed also reported on sewer work included on the consent agenda: a Medavie Avenue sanitary-sewer slip-lining rehabilitation project. He said the successful bid came in "pretty significantly below budget," allowing the city to consider additional sewer work next year.

Councilman Clark thanked staff and Ed for pursuing the grants and improving project readiness. The council approved the consent agenda, which included authorization to seek award of the Medavie Avenue sanitary-sewer rehab contract.

Next steps, per the engineer: finalize crosswalk locations, complete remaining easement paperwork for Shore Road, and schedule bidding and construction phases in 2025.