Andrews Declares Urgent Need for Traffic Improvements Along Route 17 Corridor

ANDREWS DECLARES URGENT NEED FOR TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS
ALONG ROUTE 17 CORRIDOR
Sarlo Says Andrews' Election to Senate Would be
Shot in the Arm to Bergen County Projects

EAST RUTHERFORD -- Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Rob Andrews declared here today that he would fight for the federal funds needed to make critical transportation improvements in the region, including the long-delayed extension of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Line.

Andrews, who is seeking the Democratic Senate nomination in the June 3 primary, was joined by state Sen. Paul Sarlo at the intersection of Route 17 and Union Avenue to push for the traffic improvements, which they said would reduce congestion, flooding and pollution throughout the heavily traveled area. Sarlo represents parts of Bergen County and has been a vocal proponent of the funding.

"These traffic projects are essential to the quality of life of the people of Bergen County and to the motorists who use these highways," Andrews said. "I will work on their behalf in the Senate to see that the federal funds needed to make these critical improvements are provided. The federal government continues to shortchange New Jersey despite the fact that our state ranks among the highest in paying federal tax dollars It's time our taxpayers receive their fair share in return – and these traffic improvements would be a good place to start."

Sarlo, saying the improvements were five-to 10-year projects, said New Jersey needed someone in the U.S. Senate "with the energy, vigor and commitment to see these projects through, somebody who will stand up on the Senate floor and articulate this issue for us."

The projects being pushed by Andrews and Sarlo for increased federal funds are:

1. Route 17: Repairs to address the severe flooding problems on the stretch of highway that runs through southern Bergen County, east of Carlsdadt and Rutherford. Construction of a third lane on Route 17 from Hasbrouck Heights south. Route 17 is a north-south highway that connects Hudson and Bergen Counties and draws heavy traffic from motorists traveling between New Jersey and New York.
   
2. Route 4: A project to widen the highway to relieve congestion in the Englewood area. Route 4 runs east-to-west and connects New Jersey to the George Washington Bridge.
   
3. Extension of the Hudson-Bergen rail Line into Bergen County. The commuter line now stops at the border of the two counties.

"These projects have been on the drawing board but we can't get them done without money," Sarlo said. "Making these improvements will make peoples' commutes shorter and more convenient and minimize pollution in our area. They have larger implications for our regional economy because these roads are major connector routes between New Jersey and New York." Sarlo, chairman of the state Senate Labor Committee, added that "investing in our infrastructure will create jobs and stimulate the economy."

Andrews and Sarlo said that both U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez and U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman have been strong advocates of the transportation initiatives. Electing Andrews will be important, Sarlo said, "because we just need some extra help to get these projects over the goal line." Andrews said he will "work with Sen. Menendez, Congressman Rothman and Sen. Sarlo to make sure we make this happen."

In pledging to fight for the improvements, Andrews said it was inconceivable that the federal government was spending tens of billions of dollars a month in Iraq while neglecting critical problems here at home, such as the Bergen County infrastructure repairs.