U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) today hailed President Barack Obama’s release of $26.6 billion to repair highways, roads and bridges as the centerpiece of America’s economic recovery.  Pleased by the $651,774,480 investment in New Jersey’s roadways, Pascrell made the following statement: 

“Infrastructure investment is the centerpiece of America’s economic recovery.  Putting shovels in the ground will put people back in work boots and put money back in the economy.  And it will do both quickly.  The release of this funding comes only fourteen days after the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law.  Very soon, people in New Jersey will begin to see new road projects spring up around the state.  Highways and bridges will be made safer, traffic will flow easier and people will be put back to work returning a sense of confidence to the ailing economy. 

“I am especially pleased with the $175 million that will be invested in New Jersey’s aging urban areas.  Reinvigorating America’s cities will play an important role in our economic recovery.  It is critical that we modernize urban infrastructure to attract people into our cities and accommodate those who already live in them,” concluded Pascrell. 

New Jersey is slated to receive $19.5 million in Mandatory Transportation Enhancement funding; $175.2 million in Urban Area Distribution funding; $14.3 million in Suburban Area Distribution funding and $5.8 million in Rural Are funding.  An additional $436 million will be made available for use in New Jersey in any of the aforementioned areas.

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