Parkway Overpass Project Critic: Due Process Ignored

CREST HAVEN – Dr. Russell Down told freeholders Jan. 8 he believed due process was disregarded moving forward with the $125-million Garden State Parkway overpass project that is tentatively set to start this year. Another opponent of the projecet cited the destruction of 26 acres of trees to make a temporary road.
Down, of Court House, read from a prepared statement, “We are safeguarded by statutes, both state and federal, but only if due process is followed.” Regarding mitigation requirements, Coastal Area Facilities Review Act rules, environmental impact statements, Down said “Rules have been bent beyond recognition, if not broken, by the involved agencies. So far, this has been done without objections of any find from our local Cape May County or Middle Township governing bodies.”
Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton replied after Down completed his statement, that public safety was paramount in the minds of county residents, who had seen many accidents and even deaths at three intersections at Exits 9, 10 and 11, that are to be eliminated by the overpass project. Thornton also reminded Down that the project was not the county’s but of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, which operates the Parkway.
“Safety becomes an issue if the project is delayed. We still have safety hazards threatening to residents and visitors to Cape May County. Every delay is also considered a safety factor,” said Thornton.
“Perhaps they should have considered that,” said Down.
“The agreement is between the state and federal governments,” added Thornton.
“Which very seriously affects this county,” Down added. He said there had been “no good valid discussion of CAFRA in the environmental assessment or saltwater mitigation…Since we are going to be subject to the down sides, at least we should have the opportunity to give input such as would perhaps minimize the unfortunate patterns of Middle Township and the county forever when the road becomes a limited access turnpike.”
Thornton countered that the state was “Trying to correct a situation created more than 50 years ago, which placed traffic lights. I don’t know their rationale; I don’t know why they did that. Again, as far as we know, the permitting process, as far as we are concerned, is being addressed.”
Down ended his time at the podium saying, “Suspiciously, it looks like the county is being a little lazy…”
Avalon resident Elaine Scattergood took the microphone next, saying she was the local representative for the Old Growth Forest Network, a group which opposes the parkway’s plan to take down 26 acres of trees in order to create a temporary road while the parkway project takes place.
“I am wondering whether the county has a way to mitigate 26 acres of trees, and whether anybody has considered an alternative,” Scattergood asked freeholders.
Thornton replied, as he had to Down, that the project was the Turnpike Authority’s and Federal Highway Administration.
“The county had to approve,” said Scattergood. “We had input,” replied Thornton. That was actually a “resolution of support,” added County Engineer Dale Foster.
“We were not part of the development process,” said Thornton.
Scattergood said the first time any member of the public learned of the 26 acres of tree destruction came at a hearing of the Turnpike Authority where posters informed of “reforestation.” She said a turnpike person, not identified, said there was “no fairer way for taxpayers to pay than by toll roads.” Thornton replied that was the first time he heard that mentioned.
“I never heard that from a state official,” he said. “I heard it that night in which people asked questions which weren’t answered,” Scattergood said. Thornton said that was part of the process, a time set aside for input only, during which no answers were to be given. “They were not allowed to respond,” he added.
“That seems rather silly,” said Scattergood. “It may be,” added Thornton. “It even seems disrespectful,” said Scattergood.
She ended by telling the board one tree produces sufficient oxygen for one person for a year. “You cannot replace a forest that has been here hundreds of years. I applaud your interest in safety, but doubt this will do any good. The road is taking out trees, and that is just temporary.”
Hyland Motel owner Susan Lin also told the board she was heartbroken to learn that trees in front of her motel will be felled to make way for the project.
“We can do a better design to protect our county,” Lin said.