Long Branch- Mayor John Pallone announced that Long Branch received the second highest amount, totaling $530,000 from a $3.8 million state Transit Village program. Grants were awarded to 14 municipalities in 9 counties. The Long Branch grant will support street, sidewalk, and landscape improvements on Westwood Ave. and West Ave. north of the Long Branch train station. The improvements mirror those completed on Third Ave. south of the railroad station in the last two years.

“This is one of the many grants from both the state and federal government that the city has now received to upgrade infrastructure and services in the vicinity of the railroad station and elsewhere in the city.” Pallone said.

“The Long Branch railroad station has been resurfaced and repainted with improved lighting. A tunnel is planned to tie the two sections of the train station together that are currently separated by train tracks. The buses that stop on Third Ave will be brought into the train station parking lot with a new bus platform and waiting area for passengers during inclement weather.” Pallone continued.

The Mayor also explained that Monmouth Medical Center has agreed to donate buildings and land diagonally across from the train station on Third Ave. for a new Health and Technology Center as well as a new Municipal Court.

“Long Branch has already received $2 million from the state and expects another $2 million from the federal government for the Health and Technology Center. Our Health Department will move there from City Hall. Our vaccine and testing programs will relocate there as well. The tech component will allow our residents to be trained on the latest in computer technology.” Pallone concluded.