Last month, the News 12 New Jersey I-Team investigated the pros and cons of turning toll roads over to private companies. Now, the New Jersey Public Interest Research Group is issuing a challenge to Gov. Jon Corzine over his proposal to lease the New Jersey Turnpike.

Corzine?s plan to generate revenue and get rid of the state?s debt has been met with some hesitation. But NJPIRG said turning the Turnpike and even the Garden State Parkway over to investors could be dangerous.

NJPIRG is calling on Corzine to sign a pledge that any toll-road deal will live up to six principles. Among those principles, the state, not a private company, would have final control of the road and New Jersey will get fair value. The pledge also calls for no deal longer than 30 years.

The group said it also wants state-of-the-art maintenance on the roads, transparency, so that any deal is explained to voters and approved by lawmakers, and no budget gimmicks.

State officials say Corzine does not plan to sign the group?s pledge. However, sources said Corzine is most concerned with limiting any deal to 30 years and with letting lawmakers vote on it.

Similar deals are already in place in Illinois and Indiana.

Click here for Part I of this I-Team Investigation.Click here for Part II of this I-Team Investigation. Click here for Part III of this I-Team Investigation.