Pallone Secures $2 Million to Alleviate Traffic at Sandy Hook

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) today secured $2 million in federal funds for the U.S. National Park Service to construct a ferry terminal and pier on Sandy Hook that will help to alleviate traffic and reduce pollution at the park.

Pallone said the funds will be used to construct a floating and fixed pier. When completed, the ferry will connect Sandy Hook to lower Manhattan and other NY/NJ ferry terminals. The Sandy Hook ferry will service the 2.5 million annual recreational visitors to the park.

"The ferry will provide critical congestion relief to shore area residents, reducing the number of cars at the park and the pollution they produce," the New Jersey Congressman said. "The ferry will provide an easy alternative to get to the park without the worries of traffic and parking."

The funds were included in the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users ("TEA-LU"), a $275 billion six-year transportation reauthorization bill that was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives today. The Senate approved the legislation in February and the two chambers will now go to conference to reconcile the differences. The funds would be made available to Sandy Hook over six years.