The bridge bond issue will create an incentive for NJDOT engineers to tackle neglected bridges and a precedent for further dedicated bridge funding when the Trust Fund is considered for renewal next year.

Both bills were originally introduced by Assemblyman Alex DeCroce. A.2738, the Transportation Trust Fund bill, would raise FY 2000 state revenues to NJDOT and NJ Transit by $200 million per year, to $900 million. A similar lift of the Trust Fund spending cap was passed for fiscal year 1999, which ends June 30.

The Trust Fund spending bill was combined with a similar bill proposed by democratic legislators which would have required that all new spending be consistent with the NJ State Plan. This language, which would have helped direct spending to infrastructure preservation and alternative modes, was scrapped in committee as a "superfluous reporting requirement." It is unclear at present how this money will be divided among NJDOT and NJ Transit.

The bill's proponents have pledged that the extra $200 million can be unearthed by refinancing Trust Fund bonds. But an analysis by the state Office of Legislative Services shows that debt service cost of would rise $10 million next year, and $15 million each year thereafter.

The Assembly overwhelmingly passed the bill to float $500 million in bonds to fix bridges. The money would be split in half between state-run and county and municipal bridges. The bill (A.2739) is a finger in the dike of backlogged bridge projects. One-quarter of state and 40 percent of county bridges are in substandard condition, requiring a huge remedial program.