Pascrell Announces $6.5M Railroad Safety Grants to North Jersey

Positive Train Control awards will fund infrastructure growth, security improvements

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) had awarded $6,542,353.00 to New Jersey Transit for the implementation of the Positive Train Control system. The DOT award is part of the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program.

“New Jerseyans are entitled to the best transportation system in America. Yet after years of being ignored, our infrastructure became badly atrophied. We have also seen too many delays and even tragic accidents,” said Rep. Pascrell. “This week in Kearny, I stood with Governor Murphy, Representative Albio Sires, and other state leaders celebrating the progress being made on installing PTC and ensuring rail safety. But much work remains, and this funding can help make sure that our commuters are able to ride New Jersey Transit with more confidence.”

Throughout his career in Congress, Rep. Pascrell has been a staunch advocate of public transit and commuter safety. Following the deadly train crash in Hoboken in 2016, Pascrell called for the implementation of increased safety protocols and technologies to prevent future accidents. In September 2017, Pascrell and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced legislation requiring the DOT to implement more stringent testing of sleep apnea among rail operators and commercial truck drivers. Pascrell has since reinforced those demands. Pascrell has called for increased funding for improving state infrastructure, and in May 2017, Pascrell and the entire New Jersey congressional delegation praised the DOT for its $10,000,000 grant to New Jersey Transit to help implement Positive Train Control measures along state rail lines.

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