Completion of Route 55

I have followed with interest recent columns in the Herald supporting the completion of Route 55. Cape May County Chamber of Commerce has long been a proponent of this project as a matter of public safety, quality of life, expanded job opportunity for Cape May County residents, and an increased labor pool for our seasonal businesses.
What caught my attention in these recent columns were the varying terms, “completion of Route 55” and “extension of Route 55.”  It is important to understand that supporters of this project are advocating for the completion of Route 55. Complete this highway that would provide a safe evacuation route if necessary; offer greater accessibility for workers traveling to and from Cape May County; and offer relief to the residents and businesses along Routes 47 and 347 who deal with pollution as traffic backs up for hours, blocking driveways and access to local businesses.
In order to increase significant, year-round job opportunities, Cape May County needs the improved access that the completion of Route 55 will provide. Almost 15 years ago, Cape May County Chamber of Commerce and New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) partnered on a project showing how this road could be built with minimal disturbance to the environment.  While many other New Jersey road projects have been started and completed since 1969 when the first section of Route 55 was built, New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) says that it’s too expensive to complete the road to Cape May County.  Cape May County’s tourism industry generated $533.8 million tax dollars in 2015, sending $1.46 million to Trenton every day and begs the question, “Haven’t we already paid for the completion of Route 55”?
The author is the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce president.