Thousands Of Jobs For NJ If Houses Passes Transportation Bill Say U.S. Senators

Last week, the U.S. Senate passed the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” a transportation bill that’s expected to create or maintain 2.8 million jobs nationwide. 

Speaking at the Hoboken Train Station today, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood stood with U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and urged the House of Representatives to move quickly to pass a bipartisan transportation jobs bill and stressed the importance of the legislation, which would provide New Jersey with $500 million for transit projects and $1 billion per year in highways funds.

Lautenberg, Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation says, "In New Jersey, we need this bill to help reduce traffic congestion, benefit transit commuters, and boost our economy. Funding for America's transportation system expires at the end of the month."

The Senate transportation bill, which was approved last Wednesday by an overwhelming 74-22 margin, would relieve road congestion, expand transit and rail systems, and direct billions to American workers rebuilding the nation’s aging infrastructure. In New Jersey, the legislation would support 54,200 jobs in a state economy powered by regional transportation systems and commuters would get immediate relief through restoration of the commuter tax benefit, which allows mass transit riders to set aside an untaxed $240 monthly to pay for commuting costs.

Menendez says, "The toughest work is done. The Senate’s acted to create jobs and keep commuters moving."