Local Reps Meeting with Turnpike Authority

Sen. Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove have been receiving calls from constituents concerned about the plans for additional parkway interchanges along Route 30 and Jimmie Leeds Road.

In response the District 9 legislative delegation representing citizens throughout Atlantic County sent a letter on Aug. 28 proposing that the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) set funds for the land acquisition and construction of a full interchange citing their belief that it is within the CRDA's core mission to support Atlantic City's economy.

The letter, sent to Veronique Hakim, Executive Director of the NJ Turnpike Authority, led to meetings being arranged by local representatives working to solve the problem.

According to an Oct. 2 letter sent from Sen. Connors, Asm. Rumpf and Asw. Gove to the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders updating them on plans for future meetings, the Delegation from District 9 will meet with the Turnpike Authority on Wednesday, Oct. 10 at their district office in Forked River.

Galloway will be represented by Freeholder Richard Dase, along with fellow Freeholder Alex Marino of Linwood. Mayor Don Purdy and Port Republic Mayor Gary Giberson will also be in attendance.

The Turnpike Authority has another meeting planned with Sen. Jim Whelan two days later, on Oct. 12. The delegation had asked for a joint meeting, but Whelan's Office was unable to comply due to a scheduling conflict. Whelan will welcome in Purdy and Absecon Mayor Peter Elco as part of his meeting.

Dase supported Connors and his outside the box thinking when it came to bringing in the CRDA to get construction paid for.

“It was his idea, and a lot of times in government you'll hear people say, 'Make it happen,' but there is no money,” said Dase, “I definitely applaud him for looking at other avenues to fund this instead of saying it's not going to happen, it's way too much money.”

The CRDA has conducted studies of transportation in Atlantic City and the surrounding areas and has spent money to study the feasibility of a number of technologies including water taxis and monorails.

The Atlantic City Regional Transportation Plan, Volume II – Implementation was submitted to the CRDA by DMJM Harris after the Board of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority provided support and funding for the development of the strategic transportation plan to facilitate continued growth and economic prosperity of the South Jersey - Atlantic City region over the next 20 or so years.