9th District Legislators Send Letter To Turnpike Authority

Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblywoman Diane Gove, all of the 9th District, sent a letter to Veronique Hakim, Executive Director of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, on Tuesday, after Connors attended the on Monday.

The letter appears below:

Dear Executive Director Hakim:

This communication concerns existing public support to establish a full interchange off the Garden State Parkway at Route 30 as part of the Authority's ongoing efforts to alleviate traffic to improve traffic safety in Galloway Township.

As you are aware, a vocal contingent of local residents who attended the Authority's public information session to discuss interchange improvement plans for Garden State Parkway Exits 41 and 44, felt strongly that the plans must be expanded to include Route 30. Having listened to these individuals, we agree with their valid points in support of establishing a full interchange at Route 30 that included, but were not limited to, improving traffic flow, enhancing the state's evacuation route system and providing a more easily accessible corridor to allow for needed economic stability and growth along the roadway.

To that end, our Delegation is proposing that the Authority explore the prospect of using funding from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to cover the costs involved to establish a full interchange at Route 30, including any land acquisition which may be necessary to facilitate same. Our Delegation believes that such a project would be consistent with the CRDA's core mission, especially given how Route 30 is a critical corridor to Atlantic City.

Certainly, our Delegation would be more than willing to work with the Authority to determine the prospects of having CRDA funds directed to an interchange improvement plan for Route 30. Having only represented Galloway and Port Republic since January of this year, our Delegation has worked diligently with local officials in attempting to address the concerns of residents regarding infrastructure improvement plans. As you have come to understand, these residents see these projects as long overdue after years of having been forced to commute on roadways that are woefully inadequate to handle the increased traffic volume that is inevitably created by sharp population growth.

Thank you, in advance, for your attention to this important communication. We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Christopher J. Conners, Senator-9th District

Diane C. Gove, Assemblywoman-9th District

Brian E. Rumpf, Assemblyman-9th District

The letter was also sent to Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson, the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Galloway Township and its Mayor and Township Council Members and the Port Republic Mayor and Council Members.