Your Turn
S.B. government firmly opposed to Route 92
Frank Gambatese
Guest Column

There have been a number of articles and letters to the editor related to the recent release by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding the proposed Route 92. Most disturbing are the letters from other communities that support the proposed roadway.

There were even comments made by one elected official in a town nearby that seems to say that South Brunswick has softened its stand against Route 92. Everyone has the right to speak up and take a stand, but this comment could not be further from the truth.

On behalf of my colleagues on the Township Council, I want to send our own clear message to all those who live in South Brunswick and to our neighboring communities: NO ROUTE 92!

We are amazed at positions that many have taken regarding this roadway. So many have said so much, but when it comes right down to it, this matter affects South Brunswick most dramatically. It starts in South Brunswick, travels through South Brunswick and ends in South Brunswick. We will have the traffic, noise and environmental damage.

We have led the charge to stop this damaging roadway. We have paid tens of thousands of dollars to stop this project. We have spent hundreds of hours, personally, professionally and through staff to stop this project.

We certainly appreciate the efforts of some of our neighboring communities to assist us and to put forth their own efforts to stop this roadway. We are equally chagrined by efforts of other neighboring communities to encourage this roadway, foisting its damaging effects squarely upon the residents of South Brunswick Township. Let me say again, we stand firm: NO ROUTE 92!

Moreover, we are amazed by the Final Environment Impact Statement (FEIS) that the U.S. Army Corps has issued. After years of study the Corps of Engineers disavows any opinion on whether the Route 92 project should proceed; the FEIS provides no basis for issuing the required permits (which would allow the roadway to be built), and suggests that the issue be studied further. This milquetoast conclusion comes at the end of a 2,700-plus-page FEIS. We have sent a strong letter responding to the FEIS that restates our opposition and addresses a number of detailed flaws in the statement. The bottom line is that this statement leaves us in limbo.

As with any project, nothing gets done without money. Fortunately, Gov. Jon Corzine has defunded this roadway. While that gives us hope that it will not be considered anymore, we must continue to monitor any developments.

As mayor, I have spoken to Gov. Corzine and urged him to not build Route 92; I will tell him this every time I see him. The position of the governor is most important. The project will not proceed, with or without the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' consent. We thank Gov. Corzine for his understanding of the extreme negative impact of this unnecessary roadway.

On behalf of the Township Council, I restate our commitment to continue to follow any and all issues related to Route 92. We will oppose it in every manner that we can. Our position is clear: NO ROUTE 92.

Frank T. Gambatese is the mayor of South Brunswick