Pallone Secures $475,000 for Sandy Hook Bike Path

Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives approved a Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 omnibus bill that includes his request of $475,000 for the Sandy Hook Multi-Use Pathway.

Yesterday, the House approved a $410 billion spending bill that combines nine appropriations bills into one omnibus bill funding domestic programs and foreign operations for FY 2009, which officially began on October 1, 2008. The bill now goes to the Senate for its approval before heading to the president's desk for his signature.

The project is the second of three phases of the Sandy Hook Multi-Use Pathway and it completes the second phase of the trail with a 2.1-mile loop in the northern part of the park. The project also includes design improvements at two locations along the Phase 1 portion of the trail that were eliminated due to earlier funding shortfalls.

"Since the trail opened in four years ago, it has been widely used by bikers, runners and walkers, as a healthy alternative to a vehicle," Pallone said. "The funds approved by the House today will allow for the expansion of the path so more families can safely enjoy the natural beauty of Sandy Hook."

Earlier this decade, the New Jersey congressman secured the $1.8 million dollars in federal funding used to complete phase one of construction, which opened for public use in October of 2004.