More Sandy Federal Relief Money Heading to Jersey

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced he is making 10 million dollars in quick release emergency relief funds immediately available to New Jersey to continue to repair damage caused by Superstorm Sandy.

The funds are made possible by President Obama's major disaster declarations, which make federal assistance available to supplement state and local response and recovery efforts.

The 10 million brings the state's total to 20 million dollars in quick release funds so far.

After Governor Christie learned of the allocation he said “the additional federal transportation funding is welcome and warranted, and I want to personally thank Secretary LaHood and the Obama Administration for continuing to work together with us to get New Jersey what we need to recover and rebuild. This funding is another recognition and acknowledgement of the extent of damage inflicted by Hurricane Sandy and the uphill climb to recovery we still face. Moreover, it’s a statement of the critical importance of New Jersey's transportation system, not just to our state but also the region, and the need to restore our infrastructure as quickly as possible. That is a message we will continue to press in concert with our partners in the region, Congress, and the federal government as we seek the appropriate level of disaster funding for New Jersey and its residents."

Quick release emergency funds provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration are used for a variety of repairs to roads, bridges and tunnels that are immediately necessary. New Jersey will repair roadways and bridges—work that is imperative to get ready for the 2013 beach season, which is a huge economic generator for the state.