Trust fund money only half the battle, says New Jersey transportation chief

New Jersey’s acting transportation commissioner said that replenishing the state’s soon-to-be-depleted transportation trust fund is only half the battle.

Richard Hammer said spending the dollars wisely so that costs are reined in and schedules are maintained is just as important. And he said his background as a project manager in more than 30 years at the Transportation Department will help ensure that.

Hammer made his comments Monday at the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority’s board meeting in Newark. Hammer was appointed by Gov. Chris Christie in late October to replace outgoing commissioner Jamie Fox.

Legislators are trying to decide how to replenish the trust fund, which Hammer said is set to run out of money in June. He says no formal proposal has been made.

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