Governor Corzine, Commissioner Dilts applaud approval of south Jersey transportation projects

SJTPO action will enable New Jersey to expedite infrastructure improvement

(Trenton)—Governor Jon S. Corzine and Transportation Commissioner Stephen Dilts today applauded the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO) for its approval of the State of New Jersey’s use of $100.6 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for highway, bridge and transit improvements in Atlantic, Cape May and Salem counties. SJTPO also approved the use of $6 million for county and municipal projects located in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem counties.

“SJTPO’s swift approval of these transportation projects will accelerate the improvement of South Jersey’s highways, bridges, and transit facilities,” said Governor Jon S. Corzine. “Increasing our investment in South Jersey’s transportation assets will create jobs and blunt the impact of the national recession.”

Governor Corzine on March 6 released a list of proposed New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and NJ TRANSIT projects to be funded through the ARRA. SJTPO approval will enable NJDOT to advance the Route 52 Causeway Bridge Replacement project in Atlantic and Cape May counties, the Route 30 Pavement Rehabilitation project in Atlantic County, and a bridge painting project on I-295 in Salem and Gloucester Counties. In addition, it will allow NJ TRANSIT to improve its tracks and bus and rail facilities and perform preventive maintenance.

“As a result of today’s SJTPO action, work can quickly begin on important regional projects such as the next phase of the Route 52 Causeway replacement and improvements to I-295 and Route 30,” said Commissioner Dilts.

The ARRA will stimulate New Jersey's economy by creating or supporting thousands of transportation-related jobs and making long-term improvements to roads, bridges and the transit system. NJDOT selected its projects based on regional balance as well as each project's readiness to start construction, design or right-of-way acquisition. In addition, NJDOT was required to select projects located on the federal highway aid system. NJDOT plans to obligate all of this funding by early summer and to complete most of its stimulus-funded work within one year. NJ TRANSIT is prepared to advance or accelerate key capital projects throughout the state with ARRA funding. These projects include key maintenance initiatives as well as long-term improvements.

For more information on ARRA, visit Governor Corzine’s Economic Recovery Web Site at www.recovery.nj.gov