TRENTON – Gov. Chris Christie today applauded the decision by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to sign off on approving $10 million in additional “quick release” emergency relief funds for the Garden State.

“The additional federal transportation funding is welcome and warranted, and I want to personally thank Secretary LaHood and the Obama Administration for continuing to work together with us to get New Jersey what we need to recover and rebuild,” Christie said in a statement.

“This funding is another recognition and acknowledgement of the extent of damage inflicted by Hurricane Sandy and the uphill climb to recovery we still face. Moreover, it’s a statement of the critical importance of New Jersey's transportation system, not just to our state but also the region, and the need to restore our infrastructure as quickly as possible,” he said. “That is a message we will continue to press in concert with our partners in the region, Congress, and the federal government as we seek the appropriate level of disaster funding for New Jersey and its residents.”

Quick release emergency funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration for immediate and emergent repairs to roads, bridges and tunnels that are critical to complete, according to the governor’s office.

New Jersey has now received a total of $20 million in quick release funds.

Christie is in the nation’s Capitol today lobbying the White House and congressional officials for emergency funds to help cover Superstorm Sandy relief efforts.