Clawing back federal tax dollars to North Jersey

Above: Gottheimer at a North Jersey infrastructure project.

NEW JERSEY — Today, November 15, 2022, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill becoming law and highlighted investments being clawed back to New Jersey. In the first year alone, this historic, once-in-a-generation investment has already clawed back more than $4.8 billion dollars in federal investment to fix and improve New Jersey’s roads, bridges, tunnels, broadband connectivity, climate resiliency, and more — with more than 60 specific projects identified for federal investment. The legislation, which Gottheimer helped shape and pass, will help create two million jobs a year over a decade, including for New Jersey’s hardworking men and women of labor.

“After years of working to pass a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure, I’m proud to have played a key role in clawing back hardworking Jersey family’s taxes with billions of dollars in federal investments to fix our crumbling roads and bridges, remove lead and forever chemicals from our drinking water, and connect hundreds of thousands of families to broadband,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “North Jersey has waited decades to improve our crumbling infrastructure. It’s time we get our share, and it’s great to see these much-needed projects moving forward.”

Investments clawed back to New Jersey through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill in the first year alone include: 

• Fixing our crumbling roads and bridges: To date, $3.2 billion has been announced for New Jersey roads, bridges, roadway safety, and major projects. 

• Helping build the Gateway Train Tunnel between New York and New Jersey: This year, Gottheimer helped break ground on the new Portal North Bridge, a key first step to completing the Gateway Train Tunnel. The Gateway Tunnel will connect 20 percent of the nation’s GDP between New York and New Jersey. The current tunnel between the two states is more than 110 years old and if it were to crumble, it would cost the regional economy $100 million a day. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill will fund a major portion of the Tunnel.

• Boosting access to high-speed internet: 190,000 households in New Jersey have enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program, which cuts internet bills by up to $30 per month, and provides a one-time $100 discount off a connected device.

• Ensuring our infrastructure is resilient: $355.8 million has been allocated to New Jersey for infrastructure resilience in 2022.

• Protecting our water from dangerous lead and forever chemicals: $168 million has been announced for critical New Jersey water infrastructure needs to get forever chemicals and lead out of our families’ water, and overall improve the quality of life for New Jersey residents.

• Lowering emissions and pollution from buses and public transit: $2.3 million has been awarded to New Jersey for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program and $44.7 million has been awarded to New Jersey for clean transit buses and improved bus service through DOT’s Low- and No-Emission Bus and Bus and Bus Facilities Program.

• Building a national network of electric vehicle chargers: $37.7 million is being allocated to New Jersey to build out a network of EV chargers across the state.

• Upgrading power infrastructure for clean energy: $103.5 million has been allocated to New Jersey for clean energy, energy efficiency, and power in 2022.

Below: Gottheimer breaking ground for the new Portal North Bridge, key first step to completing the Gateway Train Tunnel.

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