Menendez, Booker Announce Over $834M to Support NJ’s Public Transportation

Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Bob Menendez

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) today announced an expected investment of $834,567,290 in federal funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to support New Jersey’s public transportation and ensure transit agencies can modernize and expand services for residents, commuters and travelers.

“Whether people are trying to get to work, go to the doctors, or buy groceries, public transportation is vital to communities across our state,” said Sen. Menendez. “I was proud to work alongside Senator Booker to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill which allowed for increased funding for our state’s transportation systems. This funding will help ensure that NJ Transit and communities across the state have the necessary resources to get residents safely where they need to go, keep essential workers on the job, and move our economy forward.”

“Since being signed into law last year, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has provided millions of dollars in federal resources to New Jersey to help address our state’s infrastructure needs,” said Sen. Booker. “With another round of robust funding being allocated, New Jersey will be able to strengthen its transit system which residents use each day. As public transportation options are expanded through this investment, we will also be reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. I am proud to have voted for the bipartisan infrastructure bill last year and am encouraged to see New Jersey make incredible progress.”

The funding announced today reflects the funding increases authorized by the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The increase in funding will allow NJ Transit and other transit providers across the state and the nation to buy new buses and railcars, address their repair backlogs, modernize their fleets, and transition to new technologies to address the climate crisis. These upgrades will support the expansion of U.S. manufacturing due to Buy America requirements that apply to steel, iron and other materials used in public transportation projects that receive federal assistance.

Millions of dollars from the IIJA have already flowed to the state since it was signed into law in November. In January, Sens. Menendez and Booker announced $229 million to repair bridges across the state, including $143 million to rebuild the Route 3 bridge over the Hackensack River. In December, they announced $54 million to support New Jersey’s airports. Ultimately, New Jersey stands to receive billions of dollars from the IIJA 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.