This bill amends existing law to allow the New Jersey Transportation Research Bureau to award research contracts not only to public research institutions of higher education but also to private research institutions and other entities. The bureau is tasked with determining the public interest in awarding these contracts, which will still adhere to all relevant state and federal public bidding regulations. Additionally, the bill specifies that the bureau will identify areas of transportation expertise for research and will maintain relationships with both public and private institutions.

Furthermore, the bill designates the overpass of Stelton Road at milepost 5.88 of Interstate Highway Route 287 as the Officer Conklin-Officer Cady Memorial Overpass, honoring two South Plainfield police officers who died in the line of duty. It stipulates that no state or public funds will be used for the signage associated with this designation, and the Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to seek private financial assistance for the costs related to the signs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 27:1B-21.36