The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission has awarded Burlington County its best grade for using grants for improving county roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure.
The commission assessed the county’s performance as part of its annual Pre-Award Risk Prequalification Assessment for the 2023 fiscal year. The assessment is required of all counties and municipalities in the DVRPC’s territory, which includes Burlington County and eight other counties in the Greater Philadelphia region.
Burlington County was rated a “Low Risk” on the agency’s three-tier rating, which is the best available grade. It is based on an assessment of past county projects, grant awards, work experience, audit results and financial reporting.
“This rating tells us the grants provided by DVRPC to preserve and enhance our infrastructure are being used appropriately and Burlington County has been good stewards with those funds,” said Burlington County Commissioner Tom Pullion, the board’s liaison to the Burlington County Engineering Office and Department of Public Works. “It’s a great grade that will help us when we seek more federal funding for infrastructure improvements. It’s also a reflection on the outstanding work by the staff at our County Engineering Office and the other professionals who partner with us.”
Burlington County is the largest county in New Jersey and is responsible for maintaining more than 500 miles of county roads, 411 bridges and 700 culverts.
Last year, the county completed resurfacing on just over 28 miles of roadway in 17 municipalities as part of its annual overlay program. Burlington County has also employed Intelligent Transportation System technologies to coordinate traffic signals in the county to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow and safety and has deployed safety countermeasures to protect drivers and pedestrians.
Earlier this year, the county also completed the installation of a flood notification system to alert motorists about possible flood conditions on a stretch of County Route 542 in rural Washington Township.
“Public safety and quality of life are top priorities for our entire county and this rating is more evidence of the outstanding dedication of our County Engineering Office and Division of Public Works in maintaining and improving our transportation infrastructure,” said Burlington County Commissioner Allison Eckel, the Board’s Public Safety liaison. “It’s an enormous job, but we know it’s critically important to our residents and communities, and we continue to look for innovative ways to make sure traveling in Burlington County is as safe and convenient as possible.”
