by Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
Local officials are concerned that proposed increases in N.J. Turnpike tolls could push more commuters and truck drivers onto local roads.
Gov. Jon Corzine announced a plan Jan. 8 to raise money to pay down state debt by borrowing against future toll revenue. The plan calls for the creation of an independent “public benefits corporation” that would be responsible for generating up to about $38 billion for the state that would be used to pay about half of the state’s $32 billion debt and set aside money for road construction projects.
The plan calls for a 50 percent increase in tolls every four years, beginning in 2010 and ending in 2022. After that the tolls would be adjusted for inflation every four years.
The plan would affect the Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway, as well as establishing a new toll on Route 440 in Middlesex County.
According to South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka, the department has seen increases in truck traffic when tolls have been raised in the past. He said he believes that an increase in the future would send even more cars and trucks onto the township’s local roads.
”We believe any increase could cause a dramatic increase in traffic on Route 1 and Route 130, further increasing the demand on officers,” Chief Hayducka said.
South Brunswick Mayor Frank Gambatese shares Chief Hayducka’s concern about the roads, but said he is also concerned about the state’s budget problems.
”I am in favor of the toll increase if it will help balance the budget,” he said. “We elected the governor to solve the financial problems of the state, now we have to give him a chance and hear him out.
”Raising the tolls will probably cause a lot of the truckers to leave the toll roads, but I think this will quickly come to a balance when they see how much longer it takes to go,” he added.
Mayor Gambatese said he would like to see breaks given to New Jersey residents on the tolls, to help shift some of the burden to out-of-state drivers traveling on New Jersey roads.
The mayor also said that the potential of more cars and trucks makes it even more important that Route 1 be widened to three lanes running through South Brunswick.
Monroe Township Engineer Ernie Fiest said toll increases could increase traffic on local roads near Turnpike Exit 8A, which is at the border between South Brunswick and Monroe and less than a mile from Cranbury.
”Monroe has been concerned about commuters using Perrineville and Applegarth roads to skip the charges at Exit 8 (in Hightstown) and get on at 8A,” Mr. Feist said. “This wouldn’t make that any better. What would really be a concern though is the affect on heavy trucks. The tolls are very high for these trucks, and those coming from the north could start to choose to get off at 8A and drive through Monroe.”
Cranbury Mayor David Stout said he thinks Cranbury also could experience an increased flow of traffic for a time, primarily on Route 130.
”It is logical that if tolls went up substantially there would be a period of increased usage of the local roads, but it would probably come to an equilibrium when the cost of moving slower cut into the money saved at the toll,” Mayor Stout said. “If it does cause a shift in traffic from toll roads to local roads, it would compound our traffic problems.”
Gov. Corzine is hosting a series of 21 town hall meetings to educate residents about his plan and hear feedback. For information on future meetings and to register to attend, visit www.nj.gov/townhallmeetings/listing/.
