The funding, made available though the Department of Defense Appropriations Bill for fiscal 2002, is part of a $100 million Capital Investment Grant that benefits New Jersey commuters and includes upgrades to the PATH and NJ Transit systems.

"Today's funding will greatly assist New Jerseyans in their daily lives - whether they are commuting to work or school, or are simply seeking an affordable and efficient means of transportation, these improvements will provide an invaluable service to our residents," said U.S. Rep. Robert Menendez, D-Union City, vice chairman of the Democratic Caucus and chairman of the Democratic Task Force on Homeland Security.

"Additionally, the funding will further strengthen our public transportation infrastructure, which continues to face serious challenges as a result of increased ridership and terrorist threats throughout our region."

The funding breaks down as follows:

-- NJ Transit gets $24.5 million for acquisition of electric automotives; $3.04 million for eight cruiser buses; $8.9 million for construction of "pocket" track east of Newark Penn Station; and $16 million for improvements for the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail signaling system;

-- The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey gets a $1.1 million feasibility analysis of a second bus lane for the Lincoln Tunnel from New Jersey, and