FTA AWARDS EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDING FOR NJ TRANSIT
Funding Will Advance Critical Resiliency Projects
NJT-15-021
March 2, 2015
NEWARK, NJ — The Christie Administration announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded NJ TRANSIT $147,086,000 through the Federal Transit Administration’s Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program for repair, recovery and resiliency projects associated with Superstorm Sandy.
The funding will be used to continue to advance work on the Morris & Essex and North Jersey Coast lines’ signal and communications systems; repair of traction power and distribution systems that support the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system; and, other long-term recovery efforts. In addition, the funding will allow NJ TRANSIT to advance resilience projects, including the installation of water-tight doors and barriers at the Meadows Maintenance Complex and the installation of more resilient signal systems at Hoboken Yard.
“The award of this funding is an example of how we are working effectively with the federal government to qualify for and receive New Jersey’s share of repair, recovery and resiliency funding,” said Governor Christie.
“We now have an additional $147 million to invest in projects that will not only help us finish the repair and recovery work, but also advance the critical resiliency program that will better position us against future events,” said Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman Jamie Fox.
“This award means we can start putting another $147 million to work on projects that will allow us to maintain service longer during an event, or, if necessary, restore service sooner,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Veronique “Ronnie” Hakim. “These are projects that reaffirm our commitment and have a real value to our customers.”
NJ TRANSIT was previously awarded approximately $144 million in Public Transportation Emergency Relief Funds May, 2013 and an additional approximately $66 million in June, 2014.
About NJ TRANSIT
NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 915,900 weekday trips on 261 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 165 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.