WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced more than $128 million in federal Sandy recovery aid to repair damaged federal highways and roads throughout New Jersey. The funding, provided by the Department of Transportation's Emergency Relief (ER) program, which is administered through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), willhelprestoreNew Jersey's traffic services, makeemergency roadway repairs, and establishdetours.

"This federal funding will go a long way towards repairingstormdamage done toroads and highways throughout the state. Sandy reminded us that millions of peoplein New Jersey, the region, and throughout the countryrely onourroads every day, and this aid will be critical to making sure New Jersey roads remain reliablefor families and businesses,"said Senator Lautenberg, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and co-author of the Sandy relief legislation. "AsNew Jerseycontinues to recover and rebuild, we won't stop working untilresidents and communities in every corner of the state are ableto get back ontheirfeet."

"Sandy's powerful storm surge overwhelmed our state and the resulting damage to our transportation systemis unlike anything we have previously seen. Our highways, which are the arteries of our transportation system, were severely damaged, hurting industries, our economy and all those New Jerseyans who depend on them,"said Senator Menendez, who helped lead the New Jersey delegation's efforts to secure federal Sandy relief."I applaud this critical federal funding which will go a long way in helping New Jersey's Department of Transportation put our citizens to work repairing our roadways and making improvements to ensure the next disaster does not cripple our transportation system as badly as this one."

The funding from theFHWA'sER program will be distributed to the State to continue repair work to New Jersey's roads and bridges. Superstorm Sandy caused significant damage to the state's infrastructure, including road washouts, sign and signal damage, and debris. The funds will be used to restore services and ensure the quick completion of roadway repairs.

Last month, the President signed into law the Superstorm Sandy Supplemental Appropriations bill, bringing the total Sandy aid enacted by Congress to $60.2 billion. The funding package included federal aid to help homeowners, businesses, and communities recover, and resources to rebuild coastal, transportation, and clean water infrastructure.

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