$2 Million in Federal Funds for Sandy Hook Road Repair

On Monday, senators Frank R. Lautenberg and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-6) announced that the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area will receive $1,994,889 in federal aid to repair roads damaged by Superstorm Sandy. 

"Superstorm Sandy devastated Sandy Hook — a treasured parkland that draws people from across New Jersey to enjoy its beaches and bike paths," said Senator Lautenberg, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and co-author of the Sandy relief legislation. "These federal funds will ensure that the roads going through Sandy Hook are rebuilt so people can once again access and take advantage of all that it has to offer. We'll continue fighting for New Jersey to make sure every square mile is rebuilt and restored to its prior beauty."

“Repairing and restoring Sandy Hook’s roadways is a critical part of New Jersey’s long-term recovery from Superstorm Sandy, as well as revitalizing the state’s $38 billion tourism industry,” said Senator Menendez, who helped lead the New Jersey delegation’s fight for federal Sandy relief. “Every day we are making progress in our recovery, but there is still much work to be done. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to make sure New Jersey gets the resources needed to come back better and stronger than before the storm.”

“Sandy Hook is a major driver of the tourism economy for the region and a lot of work needs to be done to get things back to pre-storm conditions,” said Pallone. “Sandy Hook is one of our area’s natural treasures, and this funding will help the rebuilding process.” 

This federal grant is in addition to $3.5 million in aid sent to Gateway National Recreation Area in February as part of the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) program.

Each year, over 2 million visitors come to Sandy Hook, helping to fuel the local economy. Sandy Hook has been closed since the storm, but parts of the site are expected to open next month, and as repairs and relief work continues, additional parts of the park may open as well.