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Rep. Payne, Jr. Votes for Infrastructure Plan to Modernize Roads, Bridges and Rail Transportation Nationwide

November 5, 2021

Media Contact: Patrick Wright -- Patrick.Wright@mail.house.gov

Washington, D.C. Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. voted for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act today, a $1.2 trillion bill to repair and modernize America's transportation systems. The bill, H.R. 3684, funds repairs and replacements for roads and bridges nationwide as well as significant investments into clean drinking water for millions of Americans. Most important for the 10th Congressional District and New Jersey, the bill makes funding available to build the $12 billion Hudson River Tunnel project of the Gateway Program, modernize Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal and Newark Liberty International Airport, and replace lead water pipes in Newark and throughout the district.

"This bill funds infrastructure projects that are vital to the economic prosperity of my district and the entire state of New Jersey," said Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. "It will create thousands of good-paying jobs and help commuters and passengers get to their destinations faster and safer throughout the state and Northeast Corridor. But infrastructure is more than roads and bridges. I am proud that it includes money to replace water pipes to protect Americans, especially American children, from lead exposure in their drinking water. Plus, it will help fund the Hudson River Tunnel, a project that is critical to the national economy as well as our local economy."

The bill improves the nation's infrastructure in several ways, such as:

  • $66 billion in guaranteed funding for rail projects.
  • $38 billion in funding that could be used for the Hudson River Tunnel project.
  • $12 billion for rail upgrades, such as high-speed rail projects.
  • $46 billion for flood mitigation, coastal resiliency and other measures to protect infrastructure from extreme weather events.
  • $55 billion for water infrastructure and the removal of lead-contaminated pipes in drinking water systems.

In addition, the bill provides more than $8 billion in guaranteed funding to repair and repave New Jersey highways for the next five years. It will provide more than $14 billion to improve transit throughout the urbanized areas of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

The bill is the largest federal investment in public transit ever and the largest federal investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak. It includes the most money for bridge repair in almost 70 years and represents the largest investment in clean drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in American history. The funding will ensure every American has access to reliable high-speed internet and establish more clean energy transmission nationwide.

This bipartisan infrastructure bill will be signed into law by President Biden as soon as he receives it.

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