$2 Million in Emergency Funds to Fix N.J. Roadways

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by U.S. Sens. Lautenberg and Menendez.

U.S. Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today [Sept. 22] announced that $2 million in federal funding from the Department of Transportation (DOT) will be made available immediately for the New Jersey Department of Transportation to pay for the cleanup and repair of roadways damaged during Hurricane Irene.

 “Hurricane Irene and the massive floods that followed caused serious damage to New Jersey’s roadways.  I am proud the federal government is acting quickly to send money to New Jersey to help the state cover repair costs following this storm.  This federal funding is a critical first down payment that will help our state’s transportation system recover," Lautenberg said.

 “I am pleased that the DOT responded so quickly to our request to make these funds available to New Jersey right away.  Communities across our state are still recovering from the massive floods that have hit us and this funding will help the state perform the repair work necessary to get our roads and highways back in shape," said Menendez.

The funding is being made available through the DOT’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Quick Release Emergency Relief Funding program.  The emergency funds will be used to reimburse the state for the cost of repairs that were done in order to resume essential traffic flow immediately after the flooding and prevent further damage.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, Senators Lautenberg and Menendez wrote a letter to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie alerting him to this emergency funding source and urging him to apply. A copy of their letter can be found here.