In The News

Corzine: Private turnpike lanes worth considering

TRENTON, N.J. — Letting private firms operate toll road lanes is an idea worth examining, but it alone wouldn’t raise enough money to pay for statewide transportation improvements, Gov. Jon S. Corzine said Tuesday.

“We’re looking at a whole host of alternatives, and we have an absolute need to come together with a plan that will allow us to fund both safety and congestion initiatives that I think the public very much expects to be funded,” Corzine said. “And we need to make sure that we take on some of the capital projects, and that’s going to take a broad financing plan.”

The state is slated to run out of money for transportation work in 2011, despite plans to build a new Hudson River rail tunnel to New York and widen portions of the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway.

The federal government wants the state to come up with its share of rail tunnel money by Oct. 1.

Corzine earlier this year suggested significant highway toll increases to pay down state debt and fund transportation projects, but the plan failed to win public and legislative support. The governor is mulling a revised plan but hasn’t detailed specifics.

Senate President Richard J. Codey, D-Essex, last month suggested letting private firms operate some toll lanes to help pay for transportation work without the large toll increases that generated widespread opposition.

One plan would set up privately run lanes just for trucks and buses on the full length of the 122-mile turnpike. Another would create “express lanes” where motorists would pay extra to zoom past traffic.

Corzine, a former Goldman Sachs chairman, said such ideas may help pay for toll road expansions but wouldn’t generate enough for the new train tunnel.

“We’ll do a full analysis of a lot of different concepts that have been laid on the table and we’ll come with a recommendation,” Corzine said. “We haven’t been afraid to put on the table what we think are the best steps to take, and that’s exactly what we’ll do after we’ve done the analysis.”

Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce, R-Morris, said the toll lane ideas would benefit the wealthy.

“Why should middle class commuters have to pay a premium for a hassle-free road the taxpayers have already paid for?” DeCroce asked. “Why should Goldman Sachs types be able to zip to Wall Street and back with ease because they can afford it while the average Joe is stuck in congestion?” undefined undefined