Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) said the U.S. House of Representatives today approved a giant funding bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 that includes $1.25 million for the South Amboy Intermodal Transportation Station to improve access, increase safety and enhance passenger accommodations at the facility. Pallone requested the funds earlier this year in a letter to the members of the House Appropriations Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. The U.S. Senate is expected to pass the same bill later today.

Pallone says the $1.25 million in federal funds will complete the second and final phase of the construction of an elevated platform, the addition of handicapped accessibility and the facilitation of overall safety upgrades to the station.

"As the most densely populated state in the nation, this unique transportation hub in South Amboy helps relieve congestion and encourages the use of mass transit," Pallone said. "When completed, area residents will have the convenience of having the only combined rail, bus, ferry, auto and pedestrian transportation center in the state right in their own back yard. South Amboy will serve as a national model for integrated transportation hubs."

The $1.25 million secured today follows an additional $1 million Pallone secured last year for the first phase of the construction project.

The funds for the South Amboy project were included in a giant $388 billion spending bill that combines nine appropriations bills into one omnibus bill funding domestic programs and foreign operations for FY 2005, which officially began on October 1, 2004. The legislation now awaits the president's signature.