By Stephanie Prokop, Staff Writer
CHESTERFIELD—Representatives from the New Jersey Turnpike Authority were expected to present an updated plan to the Township Committee on Wednesday night on the projected $2 billion Turnpike expansion project slated to begin construction next year.
Mayor Larry Durr said Wednesday morning he expected the meeting would include a question and answer session, but added that it’s not going to be a “free for all.”
He said the meeting would address what changes could be made in the township.
“They are coming here to address questions and give feedback on how this is effecting our municipality,” he said.
Mayor Durr said the Township Committee had met with the Turnpike Authority previously and the plan that was expected to be discussed Wednesday night was slightly different from the one presented last year.
“We had met with them (and the county) and given them suggestions,” he said.
Mayor Durr said a significant concern of the township was how the Turnpike Authority was going to handle Route 528, a county road which includes a bridge over the Turnpike.
On Aug. 25, N.J. Turnpike representatives faced harsh criticism from Bordentown Township residents, who feared losing property to eminent domain and increased noise from the Turnpike.
Last year, Turnpike officials told Chesterfield residents that some properties could be subject to eminent domain as a result of the project’s expansion.
John Keller, the supervising engineer to the project, had declined to cite specific properties and said that those properties would be notified by mail.
Representatives from the Turnpike told residents in Bordentown Township they will not receive a sound barrier wall, and instead proposed a reforestation project that would plant approximately 3,600 trees, some deciduous, other coniferous, to act as a sound buffer instead of a wall.
Construction for the expansion is projected to start next year, and will be widening the road both north and south by three additional lanes each way from Interchanges 6 through 9.

