U.S. 202/Ramapo Valley Road Revitalization Project Phase 1

Transportation Alternatives Set Aside Grant Program FY20

The Borough of Oakland is applying for grant funding to make physical and pedestrian safety improvements to the parts of U.S. 202/Ramapo Valley Road from Terhune Street to the complex intersection of U.S. Route 202, West Oakland Avenue, and Yapwo Avenue. The project components include intersection improvements, new curbing and new aligned sidewalks, lighting, sidewalks, benches, wayfinding signage, crosswalk enhancement, bioretention planters, and new flower receptacles. This is Phase I of a larger intended scope which includes physical and pedestrian safety improvements from Oak Street to the I-287 interchange. The Borough is submitting this application in late November 2020, so please sign our petition to show your support for the Borough's 2020 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant Application: 

Sign the Petition Here

Sign the Petition Here

TAP Grant Rendering 1 of 3

Station Park Rendering

About the Project:

The Borough of Oakland plans on submitting a grant application to the NJ Department of Transportation under the Transportation Alternatives Set Aside (TAP) Grant Program for the U.S. 202/Ramapo Valley Road Revitalization and Pedestrian Safety Project.  The Borough’s Central Business District, which runs from Oak Street to Franklin Avenue, and runs under the interchange of I-287, is in desperate need of streetscape enhancements and additional pedestrian safety improvements. The project area begins at the intersection of West Oakland Avenue and runs south for a distance of 0.21 miles to Terhune Street. The Borough of Oakland is requesting funding to help transform Downtown Oakland into a vibrant shopping district. The project will promote the principles of the NJ State Development and Redevelopment Plan and Smart Growth Initiatives. The Borough of Oakland plans on using the funds from the TAP Grant for various sidewalk replacements, which includes new sidewalks on both sides of U.S. 202/Ramapo Valley Road from West Oakland Avenue intersection to Terhune Street. At various locations, the Borough plans on extending and aligning curb lines to better ease the flow of traffic through the downtown as well as widening sidewalks to promote pedestrian safety. At both corners of Yawpo Avenue and Maple Avenue along U.S. 202/Ramapo Valley Road, the Borough intends on installing two (2) bioretention planters to collect and absorb stormwater runoff from nearby paved surfaces. Additional project elements include new curbing at the corner of Yawpo Avenue and U.S. 202/Ramapo Valley Road on both the north and south ends, as well as new curbing at the north end of the corner of Maple Avenue and U.S. 202/Ramapo Valley Road. Both sections currently lack curbing, which is a pedestrian safety hazard. At 379 Ramapo Valley Road to the corner of Terhune Street, the Borough plans on installing an aligned curb extension of 3 feet to accommodate street lighting and trees. All crosswalks located in the project area will feature a new endurablend paver coating system, various ADA push button crosswalk receptacles, new rectangular rapid flashing beacons, detectable warning surfaces, and wayfinding signage.

Other key elements of Phase 1 include adding and/or replacing street trees and lighting fixtures along the project area, as well as benches, garbage and recycling bins, concrete flower planters, street-pole banners, street-pole flower baskets, and American flags. The Borough also plans on using funds from this grant to revitalize and beautify the Station Park area at the complex intersection of West Oakland Avenue, U.S. Route 202, and Yawpo Avenue. This location was the site of the Oakland Train Station, and in homage of our past, the site will be named Station Park and contain historical photographs and markers of the former train station at this site. The Station Park area, which is near Exit 58 of the I-287/U.S. Route 202 interchange, is a focal point when entering Downtown Oakland due to the location. Currently, the site is barren, and this project will help beautify this focal point of our downtown, as well as promote sustainability and enhance stormwater management with a rain garden, new trees, and native plantings. Additional elements include a 360 clock tower, benches, trash and recycling bins, flower planters, and signage.

This Transportation Alternatives Set Aside (TAP) Grant provides Downtown Oakland with an amazing opportunity to enhance the experience of shoppers, diners and businesses in our Borough. By improving pedestrian access, we can help guide newcomers’ visits to our unique retailers and eateries, and by selecting environmentally friendly project elements, this project ensures Oakland is committed to a sustainable future. This project will help us bring Downtown Oakland into the 21st Century.

About the Grant: 

The federally funded Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) is administered by the NJDOT in partnership with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) and the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO). The program provides funding for non-traditional transportation projects developed at the local level to expand travel choice, strengthen the local economy and improve quality of life. 

According to NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, the Transportation Alternative Program has proven to be very popular and extremely competitive. In 2018, 133 applications were received totaling more than $100 million in requested dollars. There were a total of only 37 projects awarded. 

Documents: 

Concept Renderings: 

TAP Grant Steering Committee

Mayor

Councilman/Downtown Revitalization Liaison

Robert Knapp

Councilman/Public Safety Chairman

Borough Administrator

John Yakimik

Borough Engineeer/Boswell Engineering

Steve Lydon

Borough Planner/Burgis Associates

Assistant to the Borough Administrator

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