July 9, 2008 - 3:26pm
Press Release

Want access to post press releases? To sign up, use this form. You must be logged in.

Wisniewski: Transportation Funding Deserves Honest Outlook and Comprehensive Action Plan

Assembly Democrats News Release

WISNIEWSKI:  TRANSPORTATION FUNDING DESERVES HONEST OUTLOOK AND COMPREHENSIVE ACTION PLAN

(SAYREVILLE) - Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski, chairman of the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee, issued the following statement today on the latest round of proposals to let private investors operate some lanes along New Jersey's toll roads:

"Recent proposals floated to let a private firm operate the truck lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike have rekindled the dialogue on how best to fund our state's transportation infrastructure.

"With over 36,000 miles of roads carrying millions of drivers and billions of dollars in freight and commerce annually and our Transportation Trust Fund running on borrowed time, we must examine every option that is presented.

"Funding our transportation needs for a generation will require crafting a proposal that can reliably generate $1.6 billion annually; a difficult task by any measure.  We need to face the sobering truth that without a dedicated funding source to build and maintain our bridges and roads, we may have to seriously consider doing less.

"Regardless, as we continue to seek a comprehensive plan of action, we must work to ensure that our efforts do not produce a plan that amounts to nothing more than monetization lite:  all the price increases of the original proposal, but with less benefit."

--30--

JAMES SVERAPA IV can be reached via email at jsverapa@njleg.org.