Public Hearings In Newark For NJ Transit Fare Hike, Turnpike Project

NEWARK, NJ — Do you drive a car, or take the bus or train in Newark? Two important public hearings are coming down the pike that you should keep on your radar.

An “open house” hearing on a massive, proposed construction project on the New Jersey Turnpike – specifically the Newark Bay-Hudson County Extension – is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at East Side High School, 238 Van Buren Street in Newark.

Meanwhile, a hearing on NJ Transit’s proposed fare hikes for train and bus riders will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 8 at NJ Transit headquarters (board room 9th floor) at 1 Penn Plaza East in Newark.

Here’s what to know about both hearings.

NJ TURNPIKE

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority wants to rebuild an 8.1-mile section of the highway between Newark, Jersey City and Bayonne that leads to the Holland Tunnel. The project would expand and widen some parts of the busy roadway and replace 29 bridges, which officials say are in “poor condition.”

All of these structures have reached the end of their useful life, officials say (the extension was built in 1956).

The estimated cost of $10.7 billion – which has ballooned from an initial price tag of $4.7 billion – would be paid for through bonds paid back by tolls. No state or federal tax dollars will be used, turnpike officials say.

The first part of the proposed project would address the section between Interchange 14 in Newark and Interchange 14A in Bayonne and Jersey City – replacing all 16 bridge and viaduct structures between Interchanges 14 and 14A, including the Vincent Robert Casciano Bridge over Newark Bay.

Construction of the first project is scheduled to begin in 2026 and last eight to 10 years. Learn more about the proposal here.

According to turnpike officials, the new structures will relieve traffic congestion, accommodate the forecasted growth in the corridor, boost the resiliency of a designated coastal evacuation route, and address the anticipated impacts of climate change.

The first leg of the project will be the focus of the Feb. 27 public hearing in Newark.

For people unable to attend the workshop in person, a virtual version that describes the project and answers many frequently asked questions is available at nbhce.njta.com.

A draft environmental assessment of the improvements to be made between Interchanges 14 and 14A is posted online at www.njta.com/capitalprojects/newark_bay_hudson_county.

The project has seen major pushback from some environmental advocates and local officials, who claim it will worsen pollution and traffic. Others argue that the money would be better spent beefing up public transportation in the area. Some eminent domain proceedings may also take place for properties located near the project.

• See Related: Plan To Widen Portion Of The New Jersey Turnpike Draws Heavy Opposition
• See Related: Princeton Opposes Plan To Expand Portion Of New Jersey Turnpike
• See Related: Hoboken Officials Publicly Oppose Turnpike Extension Widening

NJ TRANSIT

NJ Transit is proposing a 15 percent rate hike for train and bus riders in its 2025 budget. If approved in April, the rate hikes will take effect on July 1. Subsequent 3 percent increases are also proposed to take effect on July 1 of each year.

The proposed rate increases are NJ Transit's first since 2015, and come as a result of low pandemic-related ridership that has cost the agency more than $2 billion in revenue, officials said. Read More: NJ Transit To Raise Fares 15% On July 1

Here’s what NJ Transit recently had to say about the situation:

“Since the onset of the pandemic, NJ Transit ridership has returned to approximately 80% of pre-COVID levels, with many peak period trips at or exceeding pre-pandemic levels. However, NJ Transit is entering the fifth consecutive year of ridership that will be below pre-COVID levels, which has resulted in a reduction of nearly $2 billion in farebox revenue for the agency. NJ Transit responsibly used federal COVID relief funding over a multi-year period to maintain full-service levels, however that funding will be exhausted in Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), which runs from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. The COVID pandemic exacerbated the agency’s structural funding deficit that has existed since NJ Transit was created more than 40 years ago.”

NJ Transit will hold 10 public hearings throughout the state before the proposed fare hikes hit the finish line, including the session on March 8 at NJ Transit Headquarters in Newark.

Customers can visit www.njtransit.com/hearing for information regarding the fare adjustment proposal, to view the hearing schedule and to submit comments electronically.

In addition to appearing in person, members of the public also may submit comments for the record online at www.njtransit.com/hearing, via postal mail to: PUBLIC HEARING OFFICE – FARE PROPOSAL COMMENTS, ONE PENN PLAZA EAST, NEWARK, NJ 07105, or via email at hearing@njtransit.com.The public comment period will be open until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024.

• See Related: Debate On Corporate Tax Reignites As NJ Transit Hikes Bus, Train Fares

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