Robert Menendez

Menendez, Lautenberg Announce $128 Million in Sandy Recovery Aid For Repairs To Storm-Damaged Highways And Roads In New Jersey

February 13, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced more than $128 million in federal Sandy recovery aid to repair damaged federal highways and roads throughout New Jersey.  The funding, provided by the Department of Transportation’s Emergency Relief (ER) program, which is administered through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), will help restore New Jersey’s traffic services, make emergency roadway repairs, and establish detours.

“This federal funding will go a long way towards repairing storm damage done to roads and highways throughout the state.  Sandy reminded us that millions of people in New Jersey, the region, and throughout the country rely on our roads every day, and this aid will be critical to making sure New Jersey roads remain reliable for families and businesses,” said Senator Lautenberg, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and co-author of the Sandy relief legislation.  “As New Jersey continues to recover and rebuild, we won’t stop working until residents and communities in every corner of the state are able to get back on their feet.”

 “Sandy’s powerful storm surge overwhelmed our state and the resulting damage to our transportation system is unlike anything we have previously seen.  Our highways, which are the arteries of our transportation system, were severely damaged, hurting industries, our economy and all those New Jerseyans who depend on them,” said Senator Menendez, who helped lead the New Jersey delegation’s efforts to secure federal Sandy relief.  “I applaud this critical federal funding which will go a long way in helping New Jersey’s Department of Transportation put our citizens to work repairing our roadways and making improvements to ensure the next disaster does not cripple our transportation system as badly as this one.”

The funding from the FHWA’s ER program will be distributed to the State to continue repair work to New Jersey's roads and bridges.  Superstorm Sandy caused significant damage to the state's infrastructure, including road washouts, sign and signal damage, and debris.  The funds will be used to restore services and ensure the quick completion of roadway repairs. 

Last month, the President signed into law the Superstorm Sandy Supplemental Appropriations bill, bringing the total Sandy aid enacted by Congress to $60.2 billion.  The funding package included federal aid to help homeowners, businesses, and communities recover, and resources to rebuild coastal, transportation, and clean water infrastructure.

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