Gottheimer Touts Infrastructure Bill In Oakland

OAKLAND, NJ — Rep. Josh Gottheimer recently hosted a press conference at the Patriot's Way Bridge in Oakland, where he highlighted how new provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill could aid North Jersey infrastructure.

According to Gottheimer's Office, the bill will make "historic investment in bridges, with more than $8 billion coming right here to New Jersey over the next five years, just for our roads and bridges."

There are also planned investments for the Gateway tunnel, electric vehicle infrastructure, clean water, public transportation, and climate resilience.

The Patriots Way Bridge in Oakland, which is a multi-span structure over the Ramapo River, is the primary entrance and exit to more than 400 families, according to Gottheimer's Office.

Although it was constructed in the 1990s, the structural steel has significantly degraded already, and the superstructure needs to be replaced.

A closure for short-term repairs hurt many aspects of the quality of life for the residents of the Ramapo River Reserve, including work commutes, garbage and recycling collection, school transportation for children, emergency response, and delivery services.

"In New Jersey, a third of our bridges are considered unsafe; we have the third worst roads in the country. Our crumbling infrastructure is hurting our families and our economy. But fixing the Patriots Way Bridge and others like it is exactly the type of critical project the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill can make a reality, now not later — all without increasing the tax burden on North Jersey residents," said Gottheimer.

Watch the full press conference here: