NEW JERSEY — It's no secret that New Jersey has a lot of crummy bridges. Throughout the state, there are hundreds of "structurally deficient" crossings: nearly one in ten, according to a recent report. Another 25 percent are considered "functionally obsolete," a moniker that hardly inspires confidence.

But a $1.14 billion windfall from the recently passed federal infrastructure bill is expected to make a big dent in those numbers, New Jersey officials say.

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Transportation launched the Bridge Replacement, Rehabilitation, Preservation, Protection and Construction Program. The spending plan is powered by a historic, $1.2 trillion federal funding package that President Joe Biden signed in November. Read More: Here's What NJ Will Get From $1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill

New Jersey will get $1.14 billion over five years to address its highway bridge needs, including $229.4 million for Fiscal Year 2022.

The money will help improve the condition of about 480 bridges in "poor condition" and to preserve and improve about 4,500 bridges in "fair condition," Gov. Phil Murphy said.

According to the 2020 National Bridge Inventory, there are 502 bridges in New Jersey that are classified in "poor condition." You can search for locations of those bridges online here.

Overall, the federal spending plan will provide $26.5 billion to states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico over five years, and $825 million for Tribal transportation facilities. Read More: 15,000 Of Nation's 45,000 Crumbling Bridges Finally Getting Fixed

"The Biden-Harris Administration is thrilled to launch this program to fix thousands of bridges across the country – the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.

New Jersey's two U.S. senators, Robert Menendez and Cory Booker, applauded Friday's announcement.

"This type of federal investment pays for itself by ensuring our infrastructure is safer and more reliable, strengthening our economy and creating good-paying jobs," Sen. Menendez said. "To build a 21st century transportation network that is the envy of the world and keeps our nation economically competitive, we need greater federal investments like this, not less."

"Our state's structurally deficient bridges put millions of travelers at risk and threaten to slow down New Jersey's economic growth, especially as we seek to recover from the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our economy," Sen. Booker said.

The announcement also got a big thumbs up from Rep. Donald Payne Jr. of New Jersey's 10th District, who serves as chair of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Payne said the money is "critical" for all of New Jersey, including for his home district, which has 1,105 bridges – more than 80 percent of which need repairs, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

"There are bridges in Hudson County that were built 80 and 90 years ago and represent a serious danger to travelers," Payne said. "In addition, there are other bridges on Interstate 495 that should be fixed now."

In addition to funds for bridge repair, the spending package will also pay for other infrastructure repairs in New Jersey, including $6.88 billion for highways and roads, $104 million for electric vehicle infrastructure, $24 million for ferry service, $100 million for broadband internet and $169 million for water infrastructure.

Additional funds will also help pay to build the long-awaited Gateway Tunnel, a new rail passage from New Jersey to New York.

All of New Jersey's representatives in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives voted in favor of the federal infrastructure bill.

The Federal Highway Administration released the first tranche of Bridge Formula Program funding to states for Fiscal Year 2022 in addition to the program guidance. For a map of bridges, see https://infobridge.fhwa.dot.gov/ and USDOT Bridge Formula Program Funding and Condition by State. Here is State-by-state BFP funding Fiscal Years 2022-2026.

Send news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.