Activists, elected officials rally against $10B Turnpike expansion plan
The proposal involves widening the I-78 Turnpike extension, doubling lanes across Newark Bay through Bayonne and Jersey City to the Holland Tunnel.
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Activists and elected officials rallied against the $10 billon Turnpike expansion plan on Tuesday evening in Jersey City.
They gathered outside of the Mary McLeod Bethune center where the NJ Turnpike Authority held an open house and welcomed job seekers.
Activists called on Gov. Phil Murphy to halt the proposal that aims to widen the Turnpike extension.
Turnpike officials say their goal is being entirely misunderstood.
"The bridges were built about 70 years ago, the trucks have gotten heavier, the number of vehicles has increased," said NJ Turnpike Authority supervising engineer Lisa Navarro.
The proposal involves widening the I-78 Turnpike extension, doubling lanes across Newark Bay through Bayonne and to Exit 14C in Jersey City.
Activists say that the project would bring more vehicular traffic and pollution to Jersey City. Some argue that there isn't enough room to expand the turnpike which would mean houses would need to be removed. Residents have also argued that it would encourage more traffic on the roadways instead of promoting the use of public transportation.
Some also believe this would utilize taxpayer dollars that are needed elsewhere. But the Turnpike Authority says taxpayer dollars wouldn't be used and that this would only reduce traffic.
