Transportation Conference Sheds Light on County Projects

CREST HAVEN –– Although it was the biggest news of the day, state Sen. Jeff Van Drew’s (D-1st) announcement of the county’s pending deal with the state to take over operation of the Beesley’s Point Bridge wasn’t the only topic of discussion at the county’s 4th Annual Transportation Conference.
Freeholders, legislators and officials from different state and other governmental agencies updated conference attendees on current and future projects affecting transportation in Cape May County.
• Freeholder Director Dan Beyel moderated the conference and introduced the various speakers.
• Assemblyman Nelson Albano (D-1st) talked about the state’s Transportation Trust Fund, which was created in 1984 to fund capital road projects and is due to run out of money by 2011.
He took the time to voice his opposition to Governor Jon S. Corzine’s plan to raise tolls on state highways to pay for the transportation fund.
“The governor’s plan has gotten an enormous amount of opposition from both the public and legislature,” Albano said about the plan that would increase tolls 800 percent increase by 2022. “Putting all of the burden on toll road users is too much.”
Lawmakers are looking for alternatives to present to the governor including leasing the rest area operations and selling advertising space along the toll roads.
• Albano’s Assembly colleague Matthew Milam (D-1st) also expressed opposition to the plan.
He said he and the others would not support toll or gas tax hikes until more budget cuts were considered.
He said the toll road proposal would hurt his personal business particularly hard. Milam owns a Vineland trucking company that pays $3,500 in tolls and uses 4,000 gallons of fuel a day, he said.
When asked if he would try to persuade the governor to use his line item veto as a way to cut budget fat, Milam replied with a lighthearted jab.
“I would ask the governor that if he would talk to me,” he said noting that the governor turns and walks the other way when he sees any of the 1st District legislators coming since all three opposed his plan.
• Assistant Commissioner Richard Hammer, of the state Department of Transportation (DOT), talked about some of the recent increases in product prices including asphalt, steel and concrete, which have drastically impacted construction costs.
“Troubles on the funding side of transportation are enormous,” he said.
He also outlined some current and planned DOT projects in this county including one on Route 52, which he said included two of the ten most deteriorated bridges in the state.
Other projects are planned on Routes 9, 47, 49, 50 and 347, he said.
• Robert Fischer, of the state Turnpike Authority, discussed the upcoming $80-million improvements to Exits 9,10 and 11 of the Garden State Parkway in Middle Township.
He said the plans call for the lights to be removed and the roadway raised at all three intersections for safety and traffic reasons.
Full access interchanges are planned at Stone Harbor Boulevard (Exit 10) and Crest Haven Road (Exit 11), but a similar interchange at Shell Bay Avenue (Exit 9) remains unfunded, he said.
The improvements are expected to begin in 2011 and be finished by 2013.
• Executive Director Donald Rainear, of the Delaware River Bay Authority (DRBA), discussed rate increases on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.
He said the ferry has been losing money for years and its largely seasonal operation has been annually subsidized by revenue from the Delaware Memorial Bridge, which the authority also operates.
The ferry currently has a $7 million deficit, he said.
Rainear noted that a recent marine study recommended the authority replace its 25-30 year-old ferry fleet with smaller, more cost-effective boats.
“One of the larger ferry boats is currently for sale,” Rainear said to the conference audience with a smile. “If anyone out there is interested, I’d be glad to give you a deal on it.”
Rainear also noted that a $12-million-improvement project along the ferry approach road was awaiting DOT approval and asked Hammer if he could expedite the process.
• County Engineer Dale Foster finished the conference program by updating the audience on current and future road and bridge improvement projects throughout the county.
Some of the projects included: rehabilitation of bridges on Avalon Boulevard, roadway improvements along Ocean Drive in different communities, resurfacing on Tuckahoe Road in Upper Township, reconstruction projects on Lincoln Avenue in Cape May Point and Bay Avenue in Ocean City, as well as road improvements on Sea Isle Boulevard in Dennis Township and Bayshore Road in Lower Township.
In a conference press release Beyel commented on the county transportation initiatives.
“Of all our responsibilities, nothing is more clearly identified with county government than how we maintain and improve our transportation network,” Beyel said. “This issue has always been and continues to be a priority of the Board of Chosen Freeholders.”
Contact Hart at (609) 886-8600 Ext 35 or at: jhart@cmcherald.com