In recent weeks, Republican candidate Congressman Bob Franks and his Democratic opponent, Jon Corzine, have shown they can think big in terms of transportation capital improvements. Both men have repeatedly emphasized the importance of a new tunnel beneath the Hudson River to serve the ever-growing demand for commuter rail in New Jersey, a project estimated to cost at least $5 billion. Drawing on his experience as a member of the House Transportation Committee, Congressman Franks even has a particular vehicle in mind for obtaining the money, a "Regional Investments for National Growth" (RING) bill. The bill would authorize the US DOT to choose 5 projects every year with significant regional economic impact for which the agency would offer 50% matching funds. The Republican candidate has promised to champion this bill in his first year in the Senate and would work to ensure the Hudson River tunnel is one of the first projects in line.

Both men have pledged to support new rail starts across the state. Franks has called the Hudson-Bergen light rail part of the solution to congestion in northern New Jersey and promised to fight for funding for it as well as the West Trenton Line and the Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex (MOM) Line. Corzine has also spoken favorably of the development of light rail lines in various parts of the state. Both also say they would continue funding for Amtrak, as long as Congress keeps a close watch on its budget.

Franks has made repairing the state's bridges a campaign issue. Corzine has said that congestion could be ameliorated through tax incentives and grants to encourage inner-city development.

Both candidates named "traffic congestion" as their "least favorite thing about NJ" in a recent Star Ledger questionnaire.