​Environmental groups rally against Murphy's reckless road revamp

Governor Phil Murphy is facing staunch criticism from environmental activists and community members over his administration's support for the proposed $6 billion expansion of the New Jersey Turnpike.

The contentious project, slated to increase traffic capacity through Jersey City's densely populated areas, has sparked outrage and mobilized opposition amidst concerns over public health and environmental impact.

“It is bad economically to spend $11 billion on a project you don’t need. Then there’s the opportunity cost because if we invest in public transportation, that will not only improve the lives of the people commuting, but that’s what builds economic growth,” said John Reichman, an attorney with Empower NJ.

Environmental groups are organizing a rally on Tuesday, July 9th, at 5:30 pm at the Bethune Center in Jersey City to protest Governor Murphy's Department of Transportation and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority's expansion plans.

The event aims to highlight Murphy's role in advancing a project that critics argue will exacerbate air pollution and worsen health outcomes in communities already burdened by environmental hazards.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority will hold a public information center to discuss the Newark Bay-Hudson County extension at the Mary McLeod Bethune Life Center at 140 Martin Luther King Drive in Jersey City from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Jersey City, known colloquially as "asthma alley" due to its elevated asthma rates, faces significant risks from increased traffic and emissions associated with the Turnpike expansion.

Environmental advocates warn of heightened exposure to exhaust fumes, fine particulates, and noise pollution, which pose serious health threats to residents, particularly children attending schools along the proposed route.

"Governor Murphy's scheme for doubling the number of cars and trucks into Jersey City's asthma alley is a betrayal of the community's health and well-being," said Lisa McCormick, a vocal environmentalist who has often been critical of the millionaire politician. "Transportation in the United States contributes 27 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, with a whopping 57 percent of that coming from light-duty vehicles, such as cars."

"The decision to allocate billions of dollars to expand the Turnpike is a clear example of misplaced priorities," said McCormick. "Instead of investing in sustainable infrastructure and addressing urgent environmental concerns, our taxpayer dollars are being squandered on a project that will exacerbate air pollution, increase traffic congestion, and undermine efforts to combat climate change."

"Communities like Hudson County have been saturated with toxic emissions from cars, trucks, and polluting industries that emit carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide in excess amounts," said McCormick. "Our existing environmental laws are insufficient to protect the residents’ right to clean air. The long-term exposure to this dangerous air pollution has caused severe adverse health consequences including lung damage, cardiac disorders, aggravating asthma, and increased rate of mortality."

Murphy has claimed to champion ambitious environmental goals, including a mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in half from 2006 levels by 2030, but McCormick said he tried to replace three seasoned environmental leaders with years of service on the Pinelands Commission , with three corporate lobbyists, failed to devise a statewide strategy for controlling invasive plant species, and betrayed promises on other issues.

The entire project spans three phases with a $10.7 billion price tag, which involves the widening of I-78 to four lanes in both directions between Turnpike exits 14 in Newark and 14A in Bayonne, replacing the Newark Bay Bridge, and expanding to three lanes in both directions from Exit 14A in Bayonne to the Columbus Drive exit in Jersey City.

The final phase includes replacing elevated structures over downtown Jersey City while maintaining two lanes in each direction.

However, critics argue that the Turnpike expansion directly undermines these objectives by encouraging greater reliance on fossil fuel-powered transportation and perpetuating a cycle of environmental degradation.

Tuesday's rally is expected to draw a diverse coalition of environmental organizations, community activists, and concerned residents who oppose the expansion project. Participants will voice their concerns over the lack of consideration for environmental justice and demand alternative investments in sustainable transportation infrastructure that prioritize public health and community well-being.

As opposition mounts, advocates are calling for increased transparency and accountability in decision-making processes related to infrastructure developments.

They argue that Murphy's support for the Turnpike expansion reflects a broader disregard for community voices and environmental sustainability, prompting renewed calls for policy reforms and equitable investment strategies.

“The Newark Bay-Hudson County Extension plays a vital role in New Jersey’s economy by providing access to the port facilities off Interchange 14A and to the thriving communities in the corridor,” said Turnpike Authority Executive Director James Carone. “The 16 bridges and viaducts between Interchanges 14 and 14A have reached the end of their useful lives. We look forward to meeting with residents, drivers, and other interested parties at the upcoming public information center to explain our plan to replace them with modern structures designed to last for the next 100 years or more.”

With tensions escalating, the rally at the Bethune Center symbolizes a pivotal moment in the fight against what many perceive as Murphy's disregard for environmental justice and public health concerns.

As stakeholders mobilize to challenge the Turnpike expansion, the outcome of ongoing debates and regulatory processes will likely influence the trajectory of infrastructure policy in New Jersey, underscoring the importance of sustainable, community-centered development practices.