U.S. Senators Menendez, Booker announce $34M to upgrade three NJ Transit stations to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) Thursday announced a combined $34,101,121 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to make upgrades to three NJ TRANSIT stations to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

The senators secured the funding in the bipartisan infrastructure bill that was signed into law last year.

“Public transportation is vital to residents across New Jersey and our transit stations must be accessible to everyone,” Menendez said. “Whether people are trying to get to work, go to the doctor, or buy groceries, New Jerseyans with disabilities deserve safe and reliable access to our public transportation system. I’m proud to have worked with Senator Booker to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill and appreciate the Biden administration’s commitment to New Jersey’s public transportation. This funding will help get all residents safely where they need to go and keep our economy moving forward.”

“New Jersey Transit is indispensable to commuters and an economic driver for our state, and it’s important we make sure its services are accessible to everyone who wants to use them.” Booker said. “This federal investment will improve our ability to provide New Jerseyans reliable, safe, and accessible rail transit.”

The grants are administered by the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP), a new program created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), a bipartisan bill which the senators were instrumental in crafting. Grant recipients will use the funding to make critical improvements that will ensure individuals with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs, can properly access transit stations.

“NJ TRANSIT is grateful to the USDOT, FTA and the Biden Administration for this crucial funding that will advance our goal to maximize transit accessibility for the most vulnerable New Jerseyans,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin Corbett.  “We also thank Senator Menendez, Senator Booker and the New Jersey congressional delegation for the integral role they played to help secure this funding to support these vital projects.”

The following NJ TRANSIT projects were awarded funding:

• Anderson St. (Hackensack) and New Bridge Landing (River Edge) Rail Stations – Pascack Valley Line
  $18,187,378
• Bradley Beach Rail Station – North Jersey Coast Line
  $14,513,743
• Chatham and Orange Rail Stations – Morris & Essex Line $1,400,000

In November 2021, during a press conference in front of Bloomfield Rail Station, Sens. Menendez and Booker outlined how the historic, $1.2 trillion IIJA would provide critical investments in New Jersey’s infrastructure.

Millions of dollars from the IIJA have already flowed to the state since it was signed into law last year. In April, Sens. Menendez and Booker announced $834 million to support New Jersey’s public transit agencies. In January, they announced $229 million to repair bridges across the state, including the Route 3 bridge over the Hackensack River. Last December, the lawmakers announced $54 million to support New Jersey’s airports.

Ultimately, New Jersey stands to receive billions of dollars from the IIJA to help the state repair roads and highways, expand mass transit, build the Gateway Project, replace water and sewer pipes and increase broadband internet access.