Washington, D.C. — Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. praised the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for its decision to make the new Portal North Bridge project eligible for federal funding.  The new $1.5 billion bridge would be built to support faster, safer and more frequent trains between Newark and Penn Station in New York City.  The FTA would fund the project through the Capital Investments Grant Program.

The current 110-year-old bridge transports as many as 200,000 passengers on 450 trains daily between the two cities.  But aging infrastructure has led to slower trains and accidents along what experts have called the “busiest train span” in the nation.

Congressman Payne, Jr. has fought for government funding for the bridge as well as the Hudson Tunnel projects, collectively known as the Gateway Project.  He said the new bridge will benefit residents throughout northern New Jersey.

“This bridge will create jobs and improve transportation for thousands of workers and families in both states,” said Congressman Payne, Jr.  “Now, commuters will not have to worry about a bridge being stuck in place or some other malfunction delaying their travel.  I am glad that years of work have led to progress on this issue and look forward to the completion of the new bridge.”

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