From Press staff reports

TRENTON - The state has awarded $65 million in road grants to municipalities from all 21 counties, including $2.5 million for 18 municipalities in Atlantic County.

Acting Gov. Donald T. DiFrancesco and Transportation Commissioner James Weinstein, who made the announcement in a news release Wednesday, said the grants represent a portion of the $170 million available through the New Jersey Department of Transportation's Local Aid program for fiscal year 2002

DiFrancesco said the grants will be used for local street repair and resurfacing projects on roads that the majority of people use every day.

"This type of work keeps the economy strong by generating the greatest numbers of construction and related jobs," Weinstein said. "We estimate that every $100 million invested in road projects results in 3,800 construction jobs."

Municipal aid funding is based on a formula that takes into account population and road mileage. In addition, municipal projects are selected for funding on a competitive basis by a panel of engineers who evaluate the condition of a roadway, the amount of traffic it carries and the role the road plays in the surrounding transportation network

Following are the projects receiving aid in Atlantic County, by municipality:

[] Absecon, Highland Boulevard reconstruction, $150,000

[] Atlantic City, Atlantic Avenue reconstruction, $135,000

[] Brigantine, Brigantine Avenue reconstruction,$150,000

[] Buena, North Boulevard, Phase 1, resurfacing, $150,000

[] Buena Vista Township, Main Avenue reconstruction, $140,000

[] Egg Harbor City, New Orleans Avenue reconstruction, $140,000

[] Egg Harbor Township, West Jersey Avenue reconstruction, $150,000

[] Folsom, East Collins Drive, Phase 2, resurfacing, $70,000

[] Galloway Township, Collins Road, Stage 2, reconstruction, $135,000

[] Hamilton Township, Jackson Road reconstruction, $139,000

[] Hammonton, Old Forks Road reconstruction, $150,000

[] Linwood, West Avenue resurfacing, $140,000

[] Margate, Washington Avenue reconstruction, $150,000

[] Northfield, Oak Avenue, Phase 2, reconstruction, $150,000

[] Pleasantville, Bayview Avenue reconstruction, $149,000

[] Port Republic, Mill Street, Phase 3, reconstruction, $110,000

[] Somers Point, Village Drive reconstruction, $150,000

[] Ventnor, Ventnor Avenue resurfacing, $145,000