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The Commissioner's Report
(archived)
NJDOT invests record $1 billion in transportation infrastructure in Fiscal Year 2009
During Fiscal Year 2009, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) invested a record amount in the improvement and maintenance of the
State’s transportation infrastructure. From July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009, NJDOT awarded more than $1 billion in highway and bridge
construction contracts.
NJDOT’s record level of investment in highways and bridges will create and support thousands of jobs while improving the long-term condition of
our infrastructure. The Fiscal Year 2009 construction program represents the importance of state and federal efforts to accelerate investment in
our aging transportation infrastructure. These projects will reduce congestion, improve safety, and increase the longevity of our
infrastructure.
NJDOT awarded 116 construction contracts for a total of $1.062 billion for construction projects located throughout the State of New Jersey.
This includes $262 million for 15 transportation projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, as well as $800 million for
planned NJDOT capital and operations projects.
NJDOT’s Fiscal Year 2009 construction investment represents an increase of $319 million compared to Fiscal Year 2008. In Fiscal Year 2008, NJDOT
awarded $743.2 million for construction projects statewide. In addition, contractor bids for NJDOT’s Fiscal Year 2009 construction projects
were 15 percent below NJDOT’s estimates. This resulted in a $160 million savings in total construction awards and will enable NJDOT to devote
funding to additional construction projects.
In order to fast-track investment in infrastructure and job creation, NJDOT accelerated its contract bid and award process by three to four
weeks. NJDOT reduced the contract advertisement period from approximately four to three weeks. In addition, NJDOT reduced the contract award
timeframe from more than four weeks to three weeks. This enabled NJDOT to award more than $1 billion in contracts for infrastructure improvement
in Fiscal Year 2009.
Job creation through public works projects is a key component of Governor Corzine’s economic stimulus and recovery initiative, announced in
October 2008. Under this initiative, NJDOT was directed to expedite projects on the drawing board in order to create and preserve New Jersey
jobs in the midst of the global recession.
In fiscal year 2010, NJDOT will continue to improve its productivity in order to accelerate construction, create and support jobs and improve
transportation infrastructure and quality of life.
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