An effort to give South Jersey residents more of a say in happenings at the Turnpike Authority has cleared its first statehouse hurdle. The authority oversees the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway.
The Senate Transportation Committee voted unanimously to advance a bill to require the Turnpike Authority to hold regular meetings around the state.
The authority now meets on a monthly basis at their administration offices in Woodbridge, N.J., located in North Jersey.
Supporters say that many South Jersey residents see the current setup as a slight given the amount of tolls affected residents pay.
The bill would require two regular meetings to be held each year on a rotating basis in Ocean, Atlantic and Cape May counties.
Sen. Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, says the change would provide affected counties in South Jersey with a greater voice in projects overseen by the Turnpike Authority.
“Making board meetings more accessible to those living in the southern part of the state will better ensure that local concerns are heard before decisions are made on regional projects,” Van Drew said in prepared remarks. “It will also help ensure our toll dollars are spent wisely and in the best interest of our residents.”
The bill would also require at least one regular meeting of the authority be held annually on a rotating basis in the area of Salem, Gloucester and Camden counties. One regular meeting each year would also be required in Bergen County.
S1675 awaits further consideration on the Senate floor.
A related bill would require representation on the Turnpike Authority’s board by all regions of the state. At least one of the seven appointed members would be from Ocean, Atlantic or Cape May counties.
Sen. Christopher Connors, R-Burlington, has said it only makes sense that the southern end of the state has a representative on the Turnpike Authority to provide a more local perspective.
“The case for representation is only strengthened due to the number of projects underway in the southern part of the state,” Connors stated.
S1674 is in the Senate Transportation Committee.
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