City of Atlantic City Secures $10.3M to Complete Paving and Safety Enhancements on Atlantic Avenue

The long-anticipated transformation of Atlantic Avenue is officially moving forward. Mayor Marty Small Sr. announced on March 26, 2025, that the City of Atlantic City has secured the final $10.3 million in federal funding needed to launch the next phase of the Atlantic Avenue Safety Improvement Project—a major infrastructure initiative that will improve travel, safety, and accessibility through the heart of the city.

The funding, released through a RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) Grant, comes with the support of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, who played a key role in moving the project forward.

“This grant is a huge step forward for Atlantic City and all of South Jersey,” Congressman Van Drew shared in a statement. “It will help fund crucial improvements to Atlantic Avenue, including repaving the roadway, better synchronization of streetlights, and enhanced safety measures. It will not only improve safety for residents and visitors alike, but also have a significant impact on the economic development of Atlantic City.”

What’s Coming to Atlantic Avenue

The Atlantic Avenue Safety Improvement Project will deliver critical upgrades from Tennessee to Albany Avenues, including:
- Full repaving of Atlantic Avenue
- Synchronized traffic signals for smoother travel
- LED street lighting to enhance visibility and safety
- New wayfinding signage for better navigation
- Improved sidewalks, curbs, and ADA-accessible ramps
- Added safety features at key intersections

This work follows the successful completion of the first phase of the project, completed at the end of 2023, which covered paving, lighting, and signal synchronization from Maine to Tennessee Avenues. The groundwork was also laid for smart infrastructure through the installation of fiber and conduit from Tennessee to Albany Avenues.

Next Steps Toward Completion

The City is now awaiting authorization to bid from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT). Once granted, bidding will open this spring, with contracts anticipated to be awarded in May 2025. If all goes as planned, construction and paving will begin and be completed by the end of the summer.

Mayor Marty Small Sr. called the moment “a major victory for the residents, visitors, and future developers in the great City of Atlantic City.” He added, “We’re incorporating an aggressive construction schedule to get this done as quickly and as safely as possible.”

Safer Streets, Stronger Future

Atlantic Avenue has long been known as one of the most dangerous roads in South Jersey, and these improvements aim to turn that reputation around. With pedestrian safety, accessibility, and connectivity as key priorities, this revitalization will benefit not just drivers, but the entire community.

“This project is the result of years of hard work,” Van Drew added. “By revitalizing the businesses and infrastructure along this corridor, we’re helping to strengthen the very heart of our community.”

The Atlantic and Pacific Avenue improvements—totaling $24.8 million—are funded through a combination of federal and state investments.

As Atlantic City continues to rise with infrastructure investments, the Atlantic Avenue project reflects a broader vision: a safer, smarter, more vibrant city—built to serve both residents and visitors alike.

Stay tuned to GreatDayAtlanticCity.com for project updates.

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