Pallone Demands Answers on Trump Administration’s $140 Million Cut to Dock Bridge Project

Long Branch, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) released the following statement today after the Trump Administration announced a $140 million cut to the federally funded rehabilitation of the Dock Bridge in New Jersey:

“You don’t just wave a wand and pretend a major infrastructure project suddenly costs $140 million less. The Dock Bridge is 90 years old, visibly rusting, and frequently stuck in the open position – delaying over 720 trains a day on Amtrak, NJ Transit, and PATH.

“This project isn’t some new initiative—it’s already in motion, funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and designed to fix a longstanding chokepoint on one of the most heavily traveled rail corridors in the country. The Trump Administration owes New Jerseyans a clear explanation: What exactly is being cut? Why now? And who benefits from delaying repairs to a 90-year-old bridge that thousands of commuters rely on every single day?

“We’ve seen this President punish blue states and attempt to siphon off congressionally approved funding before—with the SALT cap and from our fire departments and clean energy projects. Nobody trusts this Administration to treat us fairly, which is why we need transparency.”

The Dock Bridge project was funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and received approval from the Federal Railroad Administration and U.S. Coast Guard well before the current Transportation Secretary took office. The project originally included $375 million in structural steel repairs, long-term corrosion protection, upgraded access for bridge workers, and improved lighting for safety. The revised scope announced today by Secretary Sean Duffy reduces the project’s funding to $235 million by cutting or deferring these critical improvements.