Menendez, Booker Applaud $229M to Repair NJ Bridges

Statement

U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) today applauded the $229.42 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to help repair the 502 bridges across New Jersey that are considered in poor condition according to the Federal Highway Administration, as well as other bridges in need of repair or preservation. The senators secured this funding in the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that was signed into law last fall. This legislation is a once-in-a-generation investment in infrastructure, which will grow the economy, enhance U.S. competitiveness in the world, create good jobs, and make our transportation system more sustainable and equitable.

"New Jersey's bridges are among the nation's most heavily traveled and are in great need of repair," said Sen. Menendez. "This type of federal investment pays for itself by ensuring our infrastructure is safer and more reliable, strengthening our economy and creating good-paying jobs. To build a 21st century transportation network that is the envy of the world and keeps our nation economically competitive, we need greater federal investments like this, not less."

"Our state's structurally deficient bridges put millions of travelers at risk and threaten to slow down New Jersey's economic growth, especially as we seek to recover from the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our economy," said Sen. Booker. "This federal investment will allow us to repair over 500 of these bridges while also creating good-paying jobs and strengthening our state's infrastructure. I was proud to vote for the bipartisan infrastructure bill that made this funding possible and look forward to seeing the additional benefits that the legislation will bring to New Jersey."

New Jersey is expected to receive $1.147 billion from the bipartisan bill to continue the repair of its bridges over the next five years. Ultimately, billions of dollars will flow to New Jersey to help the state repair roads and highways, expand mass transit, build the Gateway Project, replace water and sewer pipes and increase broadband internet access.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law last fall, includes an incentive for states to direct the new Bridge Formula Program funds to off-system bridges owned by a county, city, town or other local agency.?While states generally must match federal funding with up to 20 percent state or local funding, the guidance issued today notes that federal funds can be used for 100 percent of the cost of repairing or rehabilitating such locally owned off-system bridges.

In December, Sens. Menendez and Booker announced $54 million from the infrastructure bill to support New Jersey's airports. While at Bloomfield Rail Station in November, the senators outlined how the bill will improve the state's overall infrastructure.

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