U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced $298.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars to NJ Transit for 13 projects that will improve aging infrastructure, help ease daily commutes and generate jobs across the region.
“This is what the Recovery Act is all about—putting people to work on projects that will help jump-start our economy and modernize our public transportation systems at the same time,” LaHood said during a press conference at Metropark Station in Woodbridge, N.J.
New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine applauded the announcement. “I want to thank Secretary LaHood and the Obama administration for their commitment to action by providing these American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds” he said. “As a result, we’ll be able to kick off a new slate of shovel-ready projects to make necessary infrastructure improvements that will help to stimulate our economy, save jobs and create new jobs for New Jersey residents.”
“Mass transit in New Jersey is getting a massive boost today. As more residents and commuters search for ways to escape congestion and traffic on our roads, this funding will help ensure that New Jersey has reliable and safe mass transit as an alternative to driving,” said Sen. Frank Lautenberg. “This major investment of nearly $300 million will help modernize our state's transit infrastructure, improve reliability and create jobs."
In addition to the Mass Transit Tunnel Project, which consists of two new tunnels under the Hudson River and a new rail station underneath 34th Street in midtown Manhattan, this recovery money also will pay for bus, van and railcar purchases, as well as facility, track and safety and bridge improvements throughout the system.
To date, the U.S. DOT has made $24.1 billion in recovery act funds available nationwide for over 7,400 projects.
