MEASURE INCLUDES OVER $50 MILLION SPECIFICALLY EARMARKED FOR EIGHTH DISTRICT PROJECTS

U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ-08) praised House passage of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005 - A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).  The funding bill includes $286.4 billion in guaranteed spending and $295 billion in contract authority from FY04-09.  The legislation renews federal funds for highway and transit programs designed to replace the expiring Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, known as TEA-21.
 
Originally introduced in November 2003 at a funding level of $375 billion for six years, pressure from the Bush Administration has decreased the funding level in the House bill to $283.9 billion.  Preliminary indicators suggest that New Jersey could receive $5.6 billion in federal highway aid and $2.4 billion in mass transit during the five year life of SAFETEA-LU.

"This critical bill is two years overdue, but today we moved one step closer to securing the funds that will positively affect the quality of life for every single American." stated Rep. Pascrell, a senior member of the House Transportation Committee.  "As congestion on our roads is increasing and more people than ever are riding public transportation, it is crucial that the federal government meet the mobility needs of this expanding nation.  Investment will expand the transportation systems that spur America's productivity.  An expansion of our transportation systems will create jobs and economic gains."

Funding for specific projects in the Eighth Congressional District includes:

• Proposed Passaic-Bergen rail line deployment program -- $12 million
• Route 46 improvements and bridge replacement -- $13.5 million
• Reconstruction of Rt. 46/Rt. 3 interchange -- $9.6 million
• New Jersey Transit Buses and Park and Rides for region -- $3.2 million
• Reconstruction of Hazel Street in Paterson and Clifton -- $3.2 million
• Clove Road improvements and access in Little Falls -- $2.8 million
• Preliminary engineering missing links within 80/23/46 "spaghetti bowl"
  -- $1.2 million
• Passaic River Restoration and Pollution Abatement Project -- $400,000

Included in this measure is also both strong language and hard dollars for New Jersey Transit to work with the Federal Transit Administration to build a needed second commuter rail tunnel under the Hudson River between Northern New Jersey and Midtown Manhattan.  This project is a top priority for the state and will help congestion relief throughout New Jersey's intermodal system.  Pascrell succeeded in securing an additional $1.5 million in federal funding (added with $2.5 provided by the Senate) for New Jersey Transit to plan the project.
 
"Unless we want to start paving over our backyards, we must continue to increase the ability for New Jerseyans to get out of their cars and into the mass transit system," stated Rep. Pascrell.  "Access to Manhattan is critical to the economic growth of our state, but demand for our trans-Hudson infrastructure system is quickly reaching its breaking point.  A new passenger rail tunnel is the best option and I am glad we are on our way to getting it done."

As passed, SAFETEA-LU reauthorizes not only federal highway, public transportation, highway safety, and motor carrier safety programs.  One new item in this bill strongly supported by Rep. Pascrell is a funding stream to provide safe routes to schools for school children, and other bicycle and pedestrian friendly projects.
 
"SAFETEA-LU is not just a bill for expanding highways, maintaining interstates, and repairing crumbling bridges.  It is also for funding buses, rail lines, and ferries.  It is for providing safe routes to schools that will combat childhood obesity by encouraging children to walk.  It is for promoting use of hybrid vehicles to improve air quality.  It is about revitalizing streetscapes of the business districts and places that drive local economies."
 
The legislation guarantees states like New Jersey that pay more into the Highway Trust Fund in gasoline taxes than they get back will receive a greater return, from 90.5 percent to 92 percent.
 
Despite an earlier veto threat, President George W. Bush is expected to sign SAFETEA-LU when it reaches his desk.

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