$400M in gas tax revenues funneled toward N.J. transportation projects

Just days after it received final legislative approval, a measure providing $400 million in gas tax revenues for transportation improvements this year has gotten Gov. Chris Christie’s blessing.

Workers at the International Laborers Union hall in Trenton cheered Monday as Christie signed the legislation designating $260 million for road and bridge repairs.

“There’s something in all 21 counties across the state. So everyone is going to see improvement from this in every corner of the state of New Jersey,” he said. “And that means you are all going to be working in every corner of the state of New Jersey, getting that work done.”

International Laborers Union vice president Ray Pocino said he expects the road and bridge repair work to start over the next three months, creating thousands of jobs.

“Members of the construction trades, contractors, engineers, insurance brokers, lawyers, bankers — you name it,” he said. “The construction dollar far reaches into the economy for all of us.”

Anthony Attanasio with the Utility and Transportation Contractors Association said the state Transportation Department has a list of projects the supplemental appropriation will fund.

“The department is ready to go now. Projects that are shovel ready and design projects on the shelf. There’s labor waiting to get to work and contractors with capacity to do it,” he said. “So the sooner the projects get advertised and bid on, the sooner people are going to be working.”

The legislation also provides $140 million to New Jersey Transit for technology and safety upgrades.