Pa., N.J. to receive part of $473m in unspent federal funds

Pennsylvania and New Jersey will soon be receiving millions of dollars in federal money that was set aside for projects from 2004 through 2006, but never used.

As part of the $473 million in federal highway and transit funds that the Obama administration will be redistributing, Pennsylvania and New Jersey are entitled to $29 million and $14 million, respectively, the amount each of the states was originally allocated, reports Philly.com.

According to the article, “states must identify by Oct. 1 the projects for which they plan to use the money and must have contracts signed by Dec. 31.

Pennsylvania’s funds had been earmarked for maintenance of the Ben Franklin Bridge, but a spokesman from the DRPA was reviewing accounts as of Friday to determine if that money had in fact been spent.

In New Jersey the money was originally to be spent on a reimbursement to the NJDOT for a waterfront parking garage in Camden, and a construction project that joined Routes 42, 55, and I-676 near Bellmawr.

A rep from the NJDOT stated that the agency would have to decide whether it will spend the money as originally intended or reallocate it for other uses.