Requires underground structural assessment prior to commencing public highway or public transportation projects within close proximity to operating or retired mines.

This bill requires underground structural assessments before starting public highway or transit projects near operating or retired mines in New Jersey. It directly affects transportation projects (like roads, bridges, or transit lines) in areas with known or potential mine hazards, particularly in northern and central counties. The key mechanism mandates the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to develop guidance on mine proximity risks and require assessments to prevent subsidence-related damage, with the Department of Transportation coordinating the process. The law aims to prevent infrastructure failures like recent sinkholes on I-80 by making safety evaluations mandatory before construction begins.