Christie announces $4.9 billion for transportation improvements

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has approved the department of transportation’s (NJDOT) proposed capital program for fiscal 2016 that funds $2.8 billion for NJDOT and other agency improvement investments and $2.1 billion in New Jersey TRANSIT improvements.

Investments to improve New Jersey’s transportation infrastructure have become a major focus of Christie’s administration. The approved budget will focus on safety, mobility and maintaining assets in a state of good repair.

The Pulaski Skyway Rehabilitation Project will be the largest in NJDOT’s history. In addition, the budget will allow for Local Aid grants to counties and municipalities to keep citizen taxes for the budget at a minimum.

“This proposed program will enable NJDOT and NJ TRANSIT to move projects forward that improve our state’s aging infrastructure and provide funding for counties and municipalities to address local transportation needs for one more year,” NJDOT Commissioner Jamie Fox said. “However, our infrastructure is in disrepair and our Transportation Trust Fund is running out of money. We must identify a reliable, dedicated revenue source for the Transportation Trust Fund.”

Part of the $4.9 billion budget comes from $1.6 billion from state funds that did not increase from the previous year; $2.3 billion from federal funds, an $800 million increase from last year that will provide for $1.9 billion of the capital program; and $2.1 billion for the NJ TRANSIT program.