HUDSON COUNTY AND BEYOND – Gov. Christopher Christie announced Thursday that he would rather have $8 billion in transportation funds, some of which would have helped build the cancelled Access to the Regions Core Tunnel, put toward aging infrastructure of Hudson County.
Christie announced a five-year plan that would use cash contributions from the state’s General Fund and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, bonding, and $1.8 billion to complete various projects. He would ask the Port Authority for some of the funding.
This plan would have the state spend $1.6 billion a year for transportation projects across the state, including $672 million for New Jersey Transit capital needs and $200 million a year on local government projects.
The $8.7 billion ARC Tunnel plan originally called for $2.7 billion contribution from New Jersey, with the federal contribution of $3 billion matched with an additional $3 billion from the Port Authority. It was cancelled around 10 weeks ago.
The projects include major roadways and bridges in or near Jersey City, Hoboken, and Secaucus, such as:
-The Route 7 Wittpenn Bridge, which links Route 139 with Route 1&9 East and the New Jersey Turnpike Interchange 15W;
-Route 139, which bridges the Holland Tunnel with Route 1&9, the I-78 New Jersey Turnpike extension, and local roadways of Jersey City and Hoboken;
-and the Portway New Road, a proposed roadway that would connect St. Paul’s Avenue along the CSX railroad crossing over to New County Road, finally terminating at Secaucus Road in Jersey City.
“Most importantly, ensuring these critical transportation projects move forward will create thousands of Jersey jobs. By responsibly investing in projects over the next five years, we’re putting New Jerseyans to work now and in the future,” said Christie.
Christie said that these projects would allow the state to get on a “path towards fiscal health and proposing a sensible and responsible plan that prioritizes vital transportation projects,” but would still allow the taxpayers to carry the “already-heavy debt burden” of the state.
Christie said that over five years, 37 percent of the project would be paid “as you go,” with the rest throw borrowing.
This plan will be the sixth reauthorization of the State’s Transportation Trust Fund, which is funded by state appropriations from the Motor Fuels Tax, the Petroleum Products Gross Receipts Tax, and Sales and Use Tax. There is no legal requirement for additional voter approval for his plan.
According to published reports, Christie has refused to consider raising New Jersey’s gas tax, which is one of the three lowest in the United States.
Do you think that putting New Jersey transportation dollars and borrowing funds for Hudson County infrastructure is preferable than the construction of a Hudson River tunnel? Share your views by commenting below. – Tricia Tirella
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