Transportation (Bridges)

This Senate resolution (SR 49) urges Congress to pass H.R.3339, which would establish a national infrastructure bank to address significant funding gaps for large-scale infrastructure projects. The proposed bank would generate capital by selling U.S. Treasury bonds to private investors, then lend funds to state and local governments for projects like roads, bridges, broadband, and energy systems. It directly affects states and municipalities by providing a dedicated, long-term funding source for infrastructure modernization, which the resolution cites as critical due to aging systems and climate-related strain (e.g., New Jersey’s 29% of roads in poor condition). The resolution emphasizes that current funding mechanisms are insufficient, and the bank model is used by other nations and historically by the U.S. for major economic investments.

S 652 requires rail companies transporting large volumes of hazardous materials (like 200,000+ gallons of petroleum or 20,000+ gallons of other hazardous substances) to create and maintain emergency response, cleanup, and contingency plans. It directly affects rail operators of "high hazard trains" carrying these materials. The bill also mandates the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to request bridge inspection reports from the U.S. Department of Transportation to assess safety risks. These requirements aim to improve preparedness and safety for potential rail spills involving hazardous materials.