N.B. opposes proposal to privatize toll roads
Council feels potential rate hikes would drive traffic to local highways
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

FILE PHOTO In the event state highways such as the New Jersey Turnpike are privatized, North Brunswick officials are concerned that rising toll rates would cause trucks to use local highways such as Routes 1 and 130, thereby increasing traffic and causing unsafe roadway conditions.

NORTH BRUNSWICK - The Township Council adopted a resolution on Monday opposing the privatization of the New Jersey Turnpike as proposed by Gov. Jon Corzine.

Highways such as the turnpike, the Garden State Parkway and the Atlantic City Expressway have been discussed as possible roadways either to be leased or sold to private operators in an attempt to deal with state debt. However, the council as a whole believes this will only be a short-term fix and will jeopardize security issues in the state.

During a discussion at last week's council workshop meeting, Councilwoman Cathy Nicola said she was once told that the 5-mile stretch of turnpike between the Newark Liberty International Airport and Port Newark is the most dangerous stretch of roadway in the United States due to airline flights and received shipments on the port. She feels control of the area by a private company could make security issues questionable.

Councilman Carlo Socio, who abstained from the vote because he is employed by the Turnpike Authority, added that areas such as the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station in Lacey Township and the Atlantic City Expressway could raise issues of Homeland Security because of their access to large bodies of water.

As far as commuting costs are concerned, Nicola addressed the current high cost of transportation and said that the state could lose control of costs if a private company is brought in to manage transportation fees.

"Commuting in New Jersey is high as it is, so if these assets are sold to private companies, then what would that do to the costs? Having less control of costs would be detrimental to New Jersey residents," she said.

Council Vice President Bob Corbin added that when Gov. Christine Todd Whitman increased turnpike tolls years ago, Route 130 suffered because truck drivers who did not want to pay the higher costs avoided major highways. North Brunswick residents would be directly affected by another such price increase because turnpike users would travel along Routes 1 and 130 to avoid the tolls.

"We who live along Route 130 have already seen a sizable increase in truck traffic," Nicola said.

"I think North Brunswick is a township adversely affected by every raise of the turnpike ... [because trucks] try to save a few dollars ... and jump off Exit 9 and come down Route 130, which is already [troublesome]," said Mayor Francis "Mac" Womack, who suggested that residents contact their local legislators in opposition to the recent mention of raising fares on state highways.

Councilman Ralph Andrews suggested improving the state's transportation infrastructure by creating more rail access. Therefore, Nicola said it is difficult to coordinate a five-year plan, let alone the suggested multiple-year lease that has been proposed.

"I think it's hard to predict or assess what our needs are, our transportation needs, for a 10-year period, let alone 40-, 50-, 60-year proposed lease. I think this needs to be thought out a little more," Nicola said.

North Brunswick is following resolutions already approved by Edison, Sayreville, South Brunswick and Woodbridge. A copy of the resolution will be forwarded to Corzine and the commissioner of the N.J. Department of Transportation.