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Senate committee releases Priya Jan nomination after questioning on bridges, transit and safety
Summary
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to release Priya Jan’s nomination as Department of Transportation commissioner to the full Senate after members pressed her on priorities including structurally deficient bridges, NJ Transit reliability, and highway maintenance.
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday released the nomination of Priya Jan to be commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, after her opening statement and a round of questioning about infrastructure priorities.
Jan, who has been serving as acting commissioner, told the committee she will focus on coordinating state, county and local systems, maintaining a robust capital program and managing public funds with “discipline and transparency.” “New Jersey DOT will deliver results safely, reliably, and with full accountability to the people we serve,” Jan said in her opening remarks.
Committee members pressed Jan on near‑term priorities. One lawmaker pressed her to address Route 55 and evacuation capacity for Cape May County, noting summertime population spikes; Jan committed to “working with you and collaborating with you to understand what the solutions can be.” Other members asked how the department will prioritize nearly 400 bridges described as structurally deficient; Jan described a bridge‑inspection program that feeds a prioritization queue and said unsafe bridges would be shut down while funding is allocated based on need.
Members also raised day‑to‑day maintenance concerns: nonworking highway lighting at key ramps, litter along Turnpike corridors, and stalled elevators at several NJ Transit stations that leave riders with disabilities stranded. Lawmakers urged better rider notification systems and a capital plan to replace aging elevators. Jan said she would follow up with NJ Transit leadership and review possible operational and capital solutions.
The committee heard additional requests to preserve transit service reliability, to consider micro‑transit options for the first mile/last mile problem, and to begin early conversations about renewing the Transportation Trust Fund. Senatorial speakers emphasized geographic equity in funding so rural and suburban communities receive attention alongside urban projects.
After discussion the committee entertained a motion and conducted a roll call; multiple members recorded yes votes and the committee released Jan’s nomination to the full Senate for a floor vote.
The committee did not take additional action on policy proposals during the session; members asked Jan to return for further discussions on the Transportation Trust Fund and other capital priorities.
