The Burlington County Commissioners helped greet U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg during his visit to Burlington County on May 27 to learn how funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law will benefit local communities and small businesses.
Congressman Andy Kim brought the secretary to the Pandora Diner at Route 206 and Monmouth Road to see the site of a New Jersey Department of Transportation highway project at the intersection. Work to widen the approaches and add left turn lanes and other improvements to the intersection is expected to begin soon, making it one of the very first New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) projects to get underway with funding from the federal infrastructure law.
Burlington County Commissioner Director Dan O’Connell and Commissioner Allison Eckel were both among a group of local elected officials who greeted the secretary and Congressman Kim outside the diner. Both commissioners also had the chance to speak to the secretary about the infrastructure law and how it can further help address Burlington County infrastructure needs.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is expected to assist our communities and our county’s businesses, and we were thrilled to learn one of the first New Jersey projects will help make Route 206 safer and less prone to congestion,” O’Connell said. “We appreciate Congressman Kim bringing Secretary Buttigieg to Burlington County to recognize our needs and see where some of the funding will be put to work.”
“Route 206 and Monmouth Road is a great start, but we know there are additional infrastructure improvements needed here in Burlington County that the bipartisan infrastructure law can help address,” Eckel added. “It was gratifying to be able to speak directly with Secretary Buttigieg and Congressman Kim about our county’s needs and how this landmark federal investment can help make a difference for our residents and businesses.”
Congressman Kim said he was proud to welcome Secretary Buttigieg to Burlington County and to introduce him to local officials and residents.
“I’m proud to welcome Secretary Buttigieg to our district as we begin one of the very first highway projects in New Jersey coming from the bipartisan infrastructure law,” said Congressman Kim. “Getting this project underway is a great first step, but there are more projects coming that will get people back to work rebuilding our roads and bridges, making sure every family in New Jersey has clean water coming to their home, and expanding broadband internet access to every corner of the state. We’re just getting started and I’m grateful to have Secretary Buttigieg with us as we begin rebuilding our aging infrastructure.”
