Washington - U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $18.5 million in TIGER funds to support the Delaware River Rail/Port Improvement strategy which, when leveraged with private investment, will create thousands of new jobs, invest in the region's rail infrastructure and intermodal capacity, and boost New Jersey's economy.

"At a time of real economic uncertainty, this project will create good jobs in New Jersey and provide a shot in the arm to our economy," said Menendez. "This is exactly the kind of public-private partnership we need to support sustainable development and to get our economy moving."

"This critical federal investment will create jobs, strengthen major commercial corridors in South Jersey and improve our state's economy," stated Lautenberg, a member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds this program. "Transportation is the lifeblood of New Jersey's economy and I will continue fighting to strengthen our infrastructure and invest in our ports, rails and bridges."

The Delaware River Rail and Port Improvement effort is being undertaken by the South Jersey Port Corporation (SJPC), the County of Salem and Conrail and will use the federal resources to leverage tens of millions in additional private resources in order to:

  • Renew ports at Salem and Paulsboro and help finance improvements to Camden Port
  • Make much needed upgrades to the rail network that link these port facilities with rest of region and nation
  • Make permanent improvements to the DelAir bridge which links New Jersey and Pennsylvania

In supporting funding for the program, Menendez had earlier this year written DOT Secretary Ray LaHood: "The port and rail improvements...will allow New Jersey and the region to achieve efficiencies and relieve roadway congestion, further enhancing the competiveness of the region for employers and for bringing cost-competitive goods to the market."

The $18.5 million was awarded through the competitive Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER Discretionary Grant program. The TIGER program enables DOT to use a rigorous process to select projects with exceptional benefits, explore ways to deliver projects faster and save on construction costs, and make investments in our Nation's infrastructure that make communities more livable and sustainable.

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