The money will go for road improvements and to make the area more pedestrian-friendly.
PHILADELPHIA -- The city of Camden will get $16.2 million in federal funds to rebuild a network of streets north of the Ben Franklin Bridge in an attempt to enhance economic development in the area.
The money will support city and state efforts to redevelop the Camden waterfront.
The White House announced the grant Friday under the U.S. Transportation Department's Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER, program. Camden was one of 40 states, territories and municipalities to share almost $500 million awards and the only one in New Jersey.
"A great TIGER program doesn't just improve transportation; it expands economic opportunity and transforms a community," Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said.
Camden waterfront improvements planned
In making the announcement, the federal government said the work would help the city's ongoing economic development and community improvements efforts and provide alternatives to driving for its residents.
The funds will cover most of the estimated $25.7 million cost of the project, which involves repaving streets about two miles north of the bridge, Interstate 676.
The work also involves installing sidewalks, providing curb cuts for people with disabilities, improving lighting and marking bicycle lanes.
Other improvements were targeted at Cooper Street, including putting in traffic signals and widening the road to make the area more walkable. A master development plan called for installing pedestrian islands.
The master plan takes in the area from Market Street to the Ben Franklin Bridge and includes developing playground areas and walkways, and building new streets close to the waterfront.
There also are plans for a shuttle service connecting the waterfront the Walter Rand Transportation Center and City Hall, and a new stop connecting Philadelphia to the Wiggins Park ferry terminal, which is located across the street from the future Philadelphia 76ers practice facility.
President Barack Obama visited Camden in May 2015 to highlight the city's community policing efforts, calling the city "a symbol of promise for the nation."
Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook