CONTACT: Andrew Souvall 

or Heather Lasher Todd 

Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 omnibus bill that includes his request of $500,000 for the South Amboy Intermodal Transportation Station to improve access, increase safety and enhance passenger accommodations at the facility. 

Last night, the House approved a $515.7 billion spending bill that combines 11 appropriations bills into one omnibus bill funding domestic programs and foreign operations for FY 2008, which officially began on October 1, 2007.  The bill now goes to the Senate for its approval before heading to the Presidents desk later this week.   

            Pallone says the $500,000 in federal funds will be used to continue 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. 

            "The South Amboy Intermodal Transportation Station is a unique transportation hub that brings rail, bus, ferry, auto and pedestrian traffic all into one center," Pallone said.  "By approving this final conference report today, the House is showing its commitment to important transportation projects like the South Amboy project that will allow us to continue to relieve congestion and encourage Central New Jerseyans to use mass transit."

            The $500,000 approved by the House today follows an additional $1.25 million that Pallone secured in Fiscal Year 2005 that was also used on the second phase of this project.  Both state and federal funds have been used over the years in constructing the South Amboy Intermodal Hub.