Assemblymen Jeff Van Drew & Nelson T. Albano

VAN DREW, ALBANO BILL TO REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION ON ROUTE 47 ADVANCES

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen Jeff Van Drew and Nelson T. Albano sponsored to commission a transportation/environmental study on ways to alleviate congestion along the Cumberland and Cape May stretches of Route 47 was released by an Assembly committee today.

"There is no doubt that something needs to be done to relieve traffic and congestion along Route 47," said Van Drew (D-Cape May).  "However, any would-be progress has been stymied by valid concerns regarding the potential environmental impact such changes might cause.  We need the DEP and DOT to work together to determine solutions that are acceptable to our environmental community as well as our business and residential communities.  In the past, this hasn't happened."

The Van Drew, Albano measure (A-2569) would require the state Departments of Transportation and Environmental Protection (DOT and DEP, respectively) to conduct a one-year feasibility study on ways to alleviate congestion on Route 47 and the surrounding areas.

The finished report would contain a description of each proposed option; the technology to be utilized in any new construction; a frank appraisal of how well each proposal could be expected to reduce congestion; an assessment of the estimated costs of each proposal; the estimated time required to implement each proposal; the projected impact on residents and businesses each proposal would have; and an assessment of which proposals are most environmentally sensitive.

"Motorists have a right to expect to get where they're going in a safe, timely manner, but not at the expense of the safety, health, and wellbeing of others," said Albano (D-Cumberland).  "This proposed study commission will be different than any other study or examination that has been done in the past.  With DOT and DEP's input, we will finally be able to reduce Route 47 congestion to meet the needs of a growing number of drivers in a manner that remains sensitive to the surrounding residents and environment."

The Assembly Transportation and Public Works Committee unanimously released the measure.  It now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.

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