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Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) today secured $8.2 million in federal funds to complete improvements to the rail, bus passenger, and parking facilities at the South Amboy Intermodal Transportation Station and for the construction of a parking garage at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick.
The funds were included in a Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users ("TEA-LU") conference report, a $286.4 billion multi-year transportation reauthorization bill that the U.S. House of Representatives approved today. The conference report reconciled separate transportation bills passed earlier this year by the House and Senate. It is expected the Senate will vote on the conference report later today and then the bill will go to President Bush for his signature.
Pallone secured $6.68 million in federal funds for the South Amboy Intermodal Transportation Station to improve access, increase safety and enhance passenger accommodations at the facility. The funds complete the second of two project phases that calls for the construction of an elevated platform, the addition of handicapped accessibility, and the facilitation of overall safety upgrades to the station. When completed, the facility will link several major regional routes and modes of transportation at one central point of transfer within South Amboy. As New Jersey’s only combined rail, bus, ferry, auto and pedestrian intermodal transportation center, South Amboy serves as a national model.
"The funds approved today will allow us to complete several safety and accessibility improvements at the South Amboy station," Pallone said. "The transportation hub at South Amboy has dramatically relieved congestion in Central Jersey, and the improvements now taking place will only make the station more appealing to area residents."
Pallone also secured $1.6 million in federal funds for the construction of a parking garage at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick. The 521-space parking garage will ease congestion and improve patient access to the hospital's comprehensive cancer center, as well as the Cardio-Vascular Institute and the UMDNJ-RWJ Medical School.
"This facility will make it easier and more appealing for people to come into New
Brunswick for doctor visits and access the hospital, without having to worry about where to park," Pallone said. "The facility will encourage further economic development in New Brunswick and will aid in New Brunswick's revitalization." |
