Morris County Unveils $35M Capital Plan for Infrastructure, Education, and Public Safety

MORRISTOWN, NJ - The Morris County Board of County Commissioners has proposed an ambitious $35 million capital spending plan for 2025, focusing on critical infrastructure, education, and public safety improvements across the county. Presented during a public meeting in Morristown, the plan outlines key investments to maintain and upgrade the systems and services that support the county's 39 municipalities.

While the total budget is $48.6 million, $13.2 million will be offset by grants, reducing the cost to local taxpayers. Commissioner Stephen H. Shaw, chair of the Capital Budget Committee, joined Commissioners Tayfun Selen and Deborah Smith to unveil the plan.

“Months ago, the Capital Budget Committee and our administrative staff began reviewing capital investment proposals from all county departments, constitutional officers and related county agencies. It is a long-standing practice that has enabled us to plan our capital expenditures early each year and, as we will in 2025, move forward on adopting a complete county budget so that our capital projects may be put out to bid early and get underway,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Shaw.

Strengthening Infrastructure

The plan allocates substantial funding to improve Morris County’s expansive infrastructure portfolio, which includes 287 miles of county roads, 1,000 bridges and culverts, three freight railroads, and 20,450 acres of parkland. 

The 4.8-mile Pompton Valley Rail Trail will be completed and fully open Spring 2025.

Highlights include:

• Roadway Resurfacing: $11 million to resurface roads in 11 municipalities, with projects including:
  • 3.3 miles of Green Pond Road in Rockaway Township.
  • 2.5 miles of Spring Valley Road in Harding Township.
  • 2.5 miles of Sussex Turnpike in Randolph Township.
  • 2.5 miles of Berkshire Valley Road in Jefferson Township.
• Intersection Improvements: $2.56 million to address congestion and safety concerns, with upgrades planned for Ridgedale Avenue and Garfield Avenue in East Hanover, and Main Street in Boonton.
• Bridge and Culvert Repairs: $8.58 million for major projects, including the replacement of Bridge #433 on Old Bloomfield Avenue in Montville, Bridge #1138 on Pleasant Hill Road in Mount Olive, and Bridge #927 on Cozy Lake Road in Jefferson Township.

A ribbon cutting for the new cricket fields at Lewis Morris Park marked one of the last projects in 2024.

“Our 2025 capital spending plan allocates $8.58 million for bridge and culvert replacements, including heavily traveled spans in Montville, Mount Olive and Jefferson Township, continuing Morris County’s leadership in bridge upgrades. We also anticipate resurfacing another 20.6 miles of county roads this coming year,” said Commissioner Selen.

Education and Public Safety

The county is also making strategic investments in its human services and public safety programs, including:

• County College of Morris Expansion: $4.46 million to support construction of an 80,000-square-foot Center for Health Professions. This state-of-the-art facility will promote workforce development and educational excellence in critical healthcare fields.
• Sheriff’s K-9 Unit Upgrades: $4.87 million to replace offices and kennels, ensuring the unit can continue its vital law enforcement and public safety functions.
• Human Services Facility Enhancements: $1.5 million to replace workstations in the Office of Temporary Assistance, improving efficiency and service delivery.

Concept design of the planned County College of Morris Center for Health Professions Building.

The proposed plan builds on ongoing efforts to maintain and modernize county infrastructure. Since 2016, more than 230 miles of roadways have been resurfaced. Beyond roads and bridges, the county is responsible for maintaining trees along road rights-of-way, mosquito control services, and facilities essential to the judiciary and public safety.

“We are dedicated to strengthening education, enhancing public safety, and supporting human services,” said Commissioner Smith. “These investments will provide vital training and equipment for public safety personnel, and ensure our park system, which is the largest county park system in New Jersey, remains safe and accessible.”

The Morris County Board of County Commissioners continues to prioritize strategic investments that enhance residents’ quality of life while leveraging grants to reduce costs. Public input on the plan will be accepted at upcoming meetings, and details about projects are available on the county’s official website.

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