DOT Agrees to Parkway Hearing

TRENTON – Senator Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May/Cumberland/Atlantic) today released the following statement on Transportation Commissioner James Simpson’s commitment to holding a public hearing on the Garden State Parkway Project, which has resulted in massive tree clearing along the throughway.
In response to questioning from Senator Van Drew during today’s Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, Commissioner Simpson – who also serves as chairman of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority Board of Commissioners – said the tree clearing was done in anticipation of the NJTA board approving the next phase of the parkway widening project, which he said he anticipates will be fast-tracked. He also made a commitment to Senator Van Drew that he would hold a local public hearing on the issue:
“This has been a volatile issue that has touched so many people in my legislative district. In recent weeks, we’ve heard a number of reasons from the Turnpike Authority as to why this massive tree-clearing operation was taking place along the parkway. Today, the commissioner said it was done in anticipation of the NJTA board approving the next phase of the Garden State Parkway widening project, which he said the authority will look to fast-track. He also committed to holding a local public hearing on the issue in the near future. This is encouraging news, given the confusion and the angst surrounding this project.
“The residents of South Jersey really need to have the air cleared, and I thank the commissioner for holding this hearing so that we can do so. We must also ensure that going forward, these kinds of projects are part of a transparent process, and that this doesn’t happen again.”
Audio of the commissioner’s comments can be found at the address below, during the 11 AM hearing. Comments at about the 1:26 mark: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/media/live_audio.asp