ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND INDEPENDENT AUTHORITIES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1548

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 7, 2026

      The Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 1548.

      As amended and reported, this bill requires the Department of Transportation (department) to establish the “Bridge Transportation Asset Management Plan Pilot Program” (pilot program) to inventory, assess, and make recommendations concerning the status of State, county, and municipal bridges.

      The commissioner of the department is required to collaborate with State agencies, county and municipal engineers, the Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation at Rutgers, the State University (CAIT), the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), and the Stevens Institute of Technology (SIT) to develop:  (1) a digital inventory of every State, county, and municipal bridge in the State; (2) a bridge life-cycle risk scoring model to evaluate potential risks associated with each bridge; (3) a climate vulnerability assessment for each bridge; and (4) a public-facing performance dashboard accessible through the department’s Internet website.

     As part of the pilot program, the department is required to establish the “Bridge Infrastructure Innovation Module” (module) to test the use of artificial intelligence-powered data analysis and sensor-based condition monitoring on high-risk and high-traffic bridges, as determined by the department.  To effectuate this, the department is to coordinate with CAIT, NJIT, and SIT on research, artificial intelligence modeling, and predictive analytics.  The findings of the module are to then be applied to the pilot program to enhance bridge life-cycle risk scoring models and assessment accuracy and emergency response planning.

     In the first four years of the pilot program, the department is required to submit annual reports containing certain information to the Governor and the Legislature on the implementation and performance of the pilot program and module.  In the fifth and final year of the pilot program, the department is required to submit a final report on the pilot program, including, in part, a recommendation on whether the pilot program should be adopted and expanded Statewide.

     Finally, the bill appropriates $9.5 million from the General Fund to the department to support both the pilot program and the module.  However, the bill also requires the department to seek federal matching funds to support the pilot program.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to make technical changes, including, but not limited to, clarifying that the pilot program is to expire after five years.