By Greg Forester, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR — Half of the funding for a roadway deemed crucial to redevelopment plans could vanish on June 30, after the money was removed from a draft transportation capital program for inclusion in this year’s state budget.
Around $19 million in state funds had been earmarked for the Vaughn Drive Connector road, but the New Jersey Department of Transportation has now withdrawn that funding pledge, Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh said last week.
The roadway is crucial to redevelopment plans for the Princeton Junction train station area, because it would allow traffic to flow more freely in an area that is already the scene of frequent traffic backups, especially during rush hour.
The state money would have footed half the bill for an extension of Vaughn Drive past the train station to an interchange with Route 571.
West Windsor Township would have to come up with the other $19 million, which could come from developers building in the redevelopment area, according to Mayor Hsueh.
Mayor Hsueh said he fears delays in the township’s redevelopment process could be the cause of the withdrawal of the funds, and has asked for Township Council support in the matter.
”That could be one major reason,” Mayor Hsueh said, referring to the delayed planning for the project.
Council President Will Anklowitz said Monday that he plans to bring a resolution before council on Feb. 25 that would signal council members’ support of Mayor Hsueh when the mayor talks to state legislators and Gov. Jon Corzine to lobby for the inclusion of the moneys in the DOT budget.
Mr. Anklowitz said that given the short period of time before the DOT capital plan would become final — the end of the fiscal year on June 30 — he suspected appealing directly to Gov. Jon S. Corzine was the best prospect for securing the money.
”I want these folks to know that when the mayor is out there speaking for the township, there is support for him,” said Mr. Anklowitz, who plans to have the resolution before council on Feb. 25. “I am going to make sure the council gets a chance to support the mayor on this.”
Mayor Hsueh said he was pleased with Mr. Anklowitz’s response.
”I am very appreciative that Mr. Anklowitz has responded right away,” Mayor Hsueh said.
Councilman Charles Morgan said worrying about the removal of the budgetary item was unnecessary, citing the importance of the roadway to regional traffic issues.
”It is a bogus number,” said Mr. Morgan of the $19 million. “When it comes time to put in Vaughn Drive, the state will pay for it and the township won’t.”
Mr. Morgan said he was unaware of any pending council resolution supporting the mayor, and that he felt the alarm raised by Mayor Hsueh was political in nature.
Mr. Morgan said he suspected the move was aimed at scaring Township Council into moving forward with redevelopment.
”The mayor is misrepresenting the reality and he is playing politics,” Mr. Morgan said.
Mayor Hsueh rejected that sentiment.
”This has nothing to do with politics,” said Mayor Hsueh, who said he was only concerned over the possible loss of the state funds for an important roadway.
He agreed the money would eventually come, but emphasized making the Vaughn Drive Connector a priority.
”You could wait 15 years,” Mayor Hsueh said.
Councilwoman Linda Geevers could not be reached for comment.
