Legislation Includes Needed Increases for Garden State Roads, Bridges, and Mass Transit Programs

Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08), a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, offered praise for legislation reauthorizing the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) introduced today by Chairman Don Young (R-AK) and Ranking Member Jim Oberstar (D-MN).  Pascrell is an original co-sponsor of the bill.

"This initiative realizes a strong commitment toward improving our quality of life in Northern New Jersey," stated Rep. Pascrell.

"Federal highway investment in New Jersey would be increased 43% and mass transit assistance would be increased an incredible 80% under this bill.  The direct benefits we will see in reducing congestion, improving safety, and creating needed jobs cannot be overstated."

The bill authorizes $298.7 billion for highways and related programs for fiscal years 2004 through 2009.   It also includes $69.2 billion for transit and $7.5 billion for safety programs over the six-year span.  All are significant increases over TEA 21, which authorized a total of $218 billion over six years.

New Jersey would do particularly well to meet its growing needs with the funding included in this legislation.  Federal highway programs in the state would grow from $4.35 billion under TEA-21, to $6.22 billion under the new legislation.  Mass transit, so important to the densely populated state, would grow from $1.63 billion in TEA-21, to $2.95 billion under the introduced bill.

"I strongly support a $375 billion level of funding because that is what we need to meet demand and increase capacity.  The average commute time in New Jersey is 29 minutes, the third longest in the nation.  This is a livability and family issue that can only be resolved with increasing options to the public.  Failure to keep up with demands will result in continued congestion and gridlock.  Our legislation recognizes the problems that exist and seeks ways to address these problems head on."

It is expected that House bill will be marked up early next year.  It will likely be during the Committee process that high priority projects would be designated.

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