In the Press...
BCT article on CR-539 overpass Smith got $7M for in bill'House passes INVEST Act; Joint Base overpass project could get funding'By Kaity Assaf
for Asbury Park Press, Burlington County Times The U.S. House on Thursday passed the INVEST in America Act, which would provide critical funding for projects in Burlington and Ocean counties and help create good paying jobs. More:Lawmakers try new path for federal funding of Joint Base overpass Written into the bill are several priorities championed by U.S. Reps. Andy Kim (D-03) and Chris Smith (R-04). Among them is the Route 539 overpass project aimed at allowing military convoys to more easily travel back and forth between both sections of the (JBMDL), expanding the space where National Guard and Reserve forces can train. The overpass would allow civilian traffic to ride above Route 539, while large military tactical vehicles would be able to travel more safely and efficiently below. 
“This important project will greatly reduce congestion on County Road 537 and Route 70 and enhance the safety of commuters by keeping military vehicles off these major roadways, which currently serve as common routes for travel across the base,” said Smith. More:Van Drew blasts Infrastructure legislation; measure now heads to full House Other key transportation and infrastructure projects include Route 130 in Florence township, Willingboro Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Seaside Heights Boardwalk Replacement in Ocean County. The bill sets aside funding for each project at:
In addition to the listed local projects, the INVEST in America Act also incorporated the bipartisan Better Utilizing Infrastructure for Lasting Development of (BUILD) Veterans Businesses Act, and provisions of the bipartisan Resilient Highways Act, both of which were recently introduced by Kim.  Smith also secured funding for seven additional projects across Monmouth, Ocean and Mercer counties and was successful in including all of his projects in the bill. A list of each project and supporting documents can be found at tinyurl.com/southjerseyprojects The bill now moves to the Senate before going to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law. This article was originally published in July 2021 and can be found online at:https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/news/2021/07/02/u-s-house-passes-invest-america-act-bill-would-benefit-joint-base/7845983002/ |