Garden State Times

The New Jersey Senate has given the green light to a bill introduced by Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco that mandates the Department of Transportation (DOT) to incorporate information about potholes in their yearly report to the Legislature.

“Every day, New Jerseyans navigate a complex network of roadways to commute throughout our State. The Senate’s approval of my legislation takes an important step towards improving road safety and transportation transparency for New Jersey,” stated Sen. Bucco (R-25). “This legislation would require the DOT to start providing information about pothole repairs and pothole damage claims in their annual report to the Legislature.”

Senator Bucco's bill, S-2491, aims to enhance the reporting system by requiring the DOT to include details about pothole repair projects and their associated costs in the annual report. Furthermore, it instructs the DOT to collaborate with the Division of Risk Management to conduct a lifecycle analysis, reporting on the number of pothole damage claims made by commuters on State Roadways. The bill also ensures that all pothole repair and damage information is accessible to the public.

“By obtaining pothole repair and damage claim data from the DOT, we can implement targeted solutions that enhance roadways throughout the Garden State,” Bucco emphasized.

New Jersey currently faces challenges with potholes and is ranked among the worst states in the country for this issue. The approval of this bill signifies a proactive step towards addressing these concerns and improving road conditions in the state.

For further information on the bill, interested parties can access the full version online or contact Chris Sivel, SRO Deputy Director of Communications, at [email protected] to arrange a discussion with Sen. Bucco.