$10 Million in 'Quick Release' Funds Will Aid Road Repair

An additional $10 million in quick release emergency relief aid being sent to New Jersey will help the state make emergent repairs to roads, bridges, and tunnels, the governor's office announced Thursday morning.

Quick release emergency funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration and are used to repair critical infrastructure. The additional $10 million New Jersey's received from the DOT thus far brings its quick release relief fund total to $20 million following Hurricane Sandy.

In a release, Gov. Chris Christie said the funds will provide key additional resources to repair infrastructure and prepare the shore for next year's tourism season. With New Jersey tourism estimated at $37 billion annually, repairs to the state's most prominent tourist destinations are an economic essential for the region, according to Christie.

The funding was approved by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

"The additional federal transportation funding is welcome and warranted, and I want to personally thank Secretary LaHood and the Obama Administration for continuing to work together with us to get New Jersey what we need to recover and rebuild," Christie said in a statement. "This funding is another recognition and acknowledgement of the extent of damage inflicted by Hurricane Sandy and the uphill climb to recovery we still face. 

"Moreover, it’s a statement of the critical importance of New Jersey's transportation system, not just to our state but also the region, and the need to restore our infrastructure as quickly as possible."

It was not immediately clear how and where the funds will be allocated.