More than $50 million specifically included for Eighth Congressional District
Pascrell pay-to-play reform protection language included as well

U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell announced the House passage of H.R. 3
The Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU), a $283.9 billion piece of legislation renewing federal funds for highway and transit programs designed to replace the expiring Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, known as TEA-21.

"It is about time this funding came through.  We have waited long enough and cannot afford further delay.  No bill will do more to positively affect the quality of life of every single American," stated Rep. Pascrell, a senior member of the House Transportation Committee. "After decades of investments to meet an expanding nation, the U.S. transportation system is unmatched anywhere else in the world, and is a major reason for our nation's high productivity.  The federal government, however, needs to provide adequate funding to meet new mobility needs in order to create jobs and foster economic development."

As passed, TEA-LU is scheduled to reauthorize federal highway, public transportation, highway safety, and motor carrier safety programs for six years, from fiscal years 2004 through 2009.  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.  New Jersey would receive $5.4 billion in federal highway aid during the life of H.R. 3, over one billion dollars more than was contained in TEA-21 of 1998.

Funding for specific projects in the Eighth Congressional District include:

• Proposed Passaic-Bergen line deployment program -- $15 million
• Reconstruction of Rt. 46/Rt. 3 interchange -- $12 million
• Route 46 improvements and bridge replacement -- $5 million
• New Jersey Transit Buses and Park and Rides for region -- $3.5 million
• Quinn Road realignment in Clifton -- $3 million
• Clove Road improvements and access in Little Falls -- $3.5 million
• Reconstruction of Hazel Street in Paterson and Clifton -- $4 million
• Preliminary engineering missing links within 80/23/46 "spaghetti bowl"
  -- $1.5 million
• South Orange Bike/Pedestrian Path -- $1.5 million
• Union Boulevard Streetscape Project in Totowa -- $500,000
• Pompton Lakes Downtown Streetscape -- $1 million
• Livingston Pedestrian Streetscape Project -- $900,000
• Belmont Avenue Gateway Community Enhancement in Haledon -- $500,000
• Downtown West Orange streetscape and traffic improvement program
  -- $1.8 million

While this legislation will make significant increases in funding for New Jersey's transportation system, Rep. Pascrell expressed disappointment that the funding contained may not be enough to meet growing demands.

"Although there is an increase above the proposal introduced by the Administration two years ago, we deserve more," stated Rep. Pascrell. "In terms of family-wage job creation, in terms of reducing congestion, in terms of improving our quality of life, and in terms of remaining competitive with other nations, I believe that we are missing a great opportunity to make a difference in our economic future."

 "We must encourage the President to sign off on this bill.  It is an incredible effort to improve the everyday lives of the residents of the Garden State," added Congressman Pascrell. "Being in New Jersey - the most densely populated state in the union - we can and must do more to promote alternate modes of transportation."

"TEA-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, congestion mitigation, air quality, and transportation enhancement projects."

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