TRANSPORTATION GROUP SAYS NEW JERSEY'S ROAD CONDITIONS ARE THE WORST IN THE NATION

DEMOCRATS HAVE IGNORED A COMMON SENSE SOLUTION THAT WOULD FUND PROJECTS TO FIX THE STATE'S DEPLORABLE ROADS

    Using Federal Highway Administration data, a national transportation group has confirmed what many heading to the Jersey Shore this weekend already know: New Jersey has the worst roads in the country.
    
    "This disgraceful distinction is not surprising because our Transportation Trust Fund has been bankrupt and elected leaders have refused to do anything about it," Assemblyman John Amodeo, R-Atlantic, said. "Instead of finding a way to fix our deteriorating roads, Governor Corzine and the Democrats who control the Legislature simply shovel some sand into potholes and hope drivers won't notice."

    According to a report in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Transportation for America ranked New Jersey worst in the nation because 28.2 percent of its roads are poor in condition. Hawaii is the only other state exceeding 20 percent. According to 2007 data, 2,808 of New Jersey's 10,000 miles of road were poor.

    Amodeo, and Assemblyman Scott T. Rumana, members of the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee, said the ranking will not improve as the Transportation Trust Fund's $895 million of annual funding is already dedicated to previously-borrowed money.

    The are sponsoring a measure, along with several other Republican legislators, which would constitutionally dedicate $500 million from existing motor vehicle fees for road projects.

    "It's too late for those traveling on New Jersey roads for one last summer weekend down the shore but our residents and economy deserve safe and strong roads as soon as possible," Rumana, R-Passaic, Essex and Bergen, said. "Our proposal would guarantee funding for road projects that would be used to spur economic development as well as repair our deteriorating transportation network, without increasing taxes or debt.

    "It's a simple solution to an obvious problem that we must implement as soon as we reconvene this fall," Rumana added.