Congresswoman Pou Praises New Jersey Gains in Surface Transportation Package

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), one of two New Jersey members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, celebrated committee passage of the surface transportation bill, which included several big wins for New Jersey and the Ninth District pushed by Pou.

"This bill delivers major wins for New Jersey and our communities by strengthening public transportation, investing in safer roads and bridges, improving rail infrastructure, cutting congestion and pollution, and supporting projects that keep our state economy moving," said Congresswoman Pou. "I was proud to help secure key priorities for our district, including stronger funding for transportation planning and safety programs, while also honoring the late Congressman Donald Payne Jr.'s legacy by renaming Newark Penn Station in his name. These investments will help modernize our infrastructure, improve daily life for New Jersey families, and create a safer and more connected future for our great state."

Included in the legislation were three of Pou's amendments:

Flooding and Infrastructure Resiliency Study Amendment: Directing the Government Accountability Office to review grants under the Department of Transportation's PROTECT Program and identify strategies to: prevent flooding, improve safety, and strengthen infrastructure resilience against flooding-a critical issue for North Jersey communities bedeviled by flooding.

Labor Participation and Inclusion Amendment: Mandates the Department of Transportation and the Comptroller General consult with labor organizations, and also that labor organizations have representation on the advisory panel created under the bill.

Federal Grant Eligibility Expansion Amendment: Expands eligibility under the Department of Transportation's Mega Discretionary Grant Program for projects at facilities designated as a National Highway System intermodal connector-projects like the Midtown Bus Terminal Replacement used by so many New Jersey commuters.

Breakdown of Highway Formula Apportionment for New Jersey

$7,406,300,000 5-Year to New Jersey

$1.434 billion for FY27

$1.449 billion for FY28

$1.479 billion for FY29

$1.506 billion for FY30

$1.535 billion for FY31

Highway Trust Fund: $87.5 billion in public transportation from the Highway Trust Fund

Fighting Pollution: $15 billion to the states to lower emissions and reduce congestion

Electric Vehicles: $1 billion for electric vehicle charging and alternative fueling, including hydrogen

Wildlife Protection: $400 million to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions

Congresswoman Pou Wins and Priorities

Increases Metropolitan Planning Funds: $2.8 billion to Metropolitan Planning Organizations

Increases Surface Transportation Funding: $45.6 billion over 5 years

Increases Bridge Funding: Requires states to allocate $11.25 billion of their Bridge Formula Program to locally owned bridges

Increases Capital Investment Funding: $3 billion annually until FY2031

Makes the Safe Street and Roads for All Program Permanent: $500 million for FY27; $625 million for FY28; $750 million for FY29

Increases Rail Infrastructure and Safety: $64.7 billion for the Federal Railroad Administration, including $31.1 billion for Amtrak

Creates Safe Street and Roads Programming: $500 Million for FY27, 625 Million for FY28, 750 Million for FY 29, 875 Million for FY 30, and 1 Billion for FY 31.

Creates Burn Research and Testing Program: Directs the Secretary of Transportation to create and implement a federal vent and burn (a controlled release and ignition of hazardous materials) research and testing program of train planning systems and rail vehicles that are currently in service to more accurately study when to use vent and burn procedures.

Renames Newark Penn Station for Congressman Donald M. Payne Jr.

Modifies the National Infrastructure Project Assistance Grants

Increases funding for Puerto Rico Highways: $242.2 million for FY27; $247.4 million for FY28; $252.6 million for FY29; $257.8 million for FY30; $263 million for FY31

Increases funding for National Highway Freight Program: $1.55 Billion for FY27; $1.6 Billion for FY28; $1.65 Billion for FY29; $1.7 Billion for FY30; and $1.75 Billion for FY31.

Increases funding for National Highway Performance: $56.934 Billion for FY27; $57.532 Billion for FY28; $58.69 Billion for FY29; $59.785 Billion for FY30; and $60 Billion for FY31.

Increases funding for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement: $56,934 billion for FY27, $57.532 Billion for FY28; $58,690 for FY29; $59.785 billion FY30, and $60.943 billion for FY31.

###