Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments on the New Jersey Turnpike Authority’s (NJTA) recently proposed capital program and toll increases.

Regional Plan Association (RPA) is an independent, non-profit regional planning organization that works to improve the prosperity, infrastructure, sustainability and quality of life of the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut metropolitan region. We pursue these goals by conducting independent research, planning, advocacy and vigorous public-engagement campaigns. A cornerstone of our work is the development of long-range plans and policies to guide the region’s growth. Since the 1920s, RPA has produced three landmark plans for the region and recently completed a fourth plan, tackling the urgent challenges facing our region, including climate change, fiscal uncertainty and obstacles to opportunity.

RPA supports user fees and increased capital spending, but has concerns about the timing of this toll increase and the lack of a broader transportation plan.

We urge you to consider the following recommendations:

Before committing to any expenditures, NJDOT must release a broader transportation vision that prioritizes increased funding for NJTransit.

We urge NJTA to work with NJDOT and NJ TRANSIT to prepare a comprehensive mobility strategy for New Jersey that encompasses operations and facilities of the NJTA, NJDOT, and NJ TRANSIT, along with Port Authority and Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. How will this toll increase help realize that broader vision while conforming with state environmental goals?

The plan should lay out ambitious goals for increased investment, repair, and expansion of NJ TRANSIT including maintenance facilities, track, administrative and customer support systems, and dilapidated stations and shelters. It must also recognize what the COVID crisis means for the state’s growth and development, its travel patterns, and its overall fiscal situation.

Finally, what will this toll increase mean for New Jersey’s participation in the proposed Transportation Climate Initiative?

After evaluating all of these issues, it may be that the existing NJTA capital plan must change dramatically, especially post the COVID health crisis.

To the extent possible, prioritize toll revenues for reinvestment in public transit and existing roads and bridges.

The proposed capital plan includes funding for numerous roadway widenings that appear inconsistent with key Murphy Administration policies on climate change mitigation and economic growth. In addition, the proposed capital plan lacks critically needed information that would establish the policy need for these projects. Basic cost-benefit assessments would be helpful to understand to what extent different projects are more or less cost-effective, and how they relate to needed investment in public transportation and DOT assets.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the NJTA’s proposed toll increases and capital plan. I would be happy to discuss these further in person.

Yours sincerely,

Nat Bottigheimer
New Jersey Director