Senator Christopher Connors

June 24, 2009   

Contact: Jason Smith / (609) 693-6700
Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, Senator Christopher J. Connors

9th District Delegation Cites Bridge Repair Work Controversy as Further Evidence Project Needs to Get Underway Immediately

Citing the victory today in the decision by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to delay any lane closings on the Route 72 Causeway Bridge until after Labor Day, Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt today conveyed their disappointment that the State even considered this ill-conceived approach in connection with repair work on the bridge. The 9th District Legislators pointed out that this latest controversy only once again highlights the very pressing need to expedite the design phase in order to get the Route 72 Causeway bridge replacement project under way as soon as possible.

Connors, Rumpf and Van Pelt made the following remarks about the controversy surrounding the timing of the DOT’s planned lane closures on the Bridge originally scheduled for the start of the summer tourist season:

“While we are pleased that the DOT has delayed the planned lane closures on the Route 72 bridge until after Labor Day, thus acknowledging the repair work schedule was ill-conceived, the fact of the matter is that it should have never come to this in the first place. Our Delegation only learned about the planned repair work after we were contacted by dozens of irate business owners on Long Beach Island who were up in arms that the repairs were going to begin at the height of the summer season, and would therefore have a negative impact on the local economy. This demonstrates poor communication on the part of the state. Signs were posted without conferring with anyone, even local officials, despite the fact the bridge is the only means of ingress and egress from the Island. It is important to note that this is not the Administration’s first attempt to delay traffic on the bridge during the summer season with lane closures.

“The timing of the scheduled lane closures and repair work demonstrates a lack of sensitivity by the Administration to businesses and merchants on the Island. Local businesses are already struggling to survive the economic hardships created by the recession. Then, while trying to prepare for the summer tourist season, businesses were forced to fight with the state bureaucracy in order to prevent the negative economic impact that would have likely resulted from this poorly conceived policy decision. At first, the DOT resisted any change to the time frame, stating it was absolutely necessary for the repair work to begin on July 17. Then, suddenly, the contract was worked out so that repairs could begin after Labor Day, as if there was no pressing need for the original time frame in the first place.

“If it were not for the groundswell of opposition from local business owners and public officials representing the Island, it is very likely the DOT would have continued with its initial work schedule to the detriment of businesses and vacationers who would have been stuck in traffic.

“This controversy only underscores the pressing need for the Administration to start taking more aggressive action on the Route 72 Bridge replacement project. The fact that the DOT even attempted to begin repair work at the height of the summer season shows that there are serious concerns over structural condition of the bridge. In January, Senator Connors, along with Congressman John Adler, met with Governor Corzine and discussed the Route 72 bridge issue. During the meeting, Senator Connors suggested that the Administration explore ways of expediting the design phase process, which is currently scheduled for three years. To this date, our Delegation has not heard one word from the Administration. Over the past several months, we have forwarded to the Administration petitions with hundreds of names of residents calling for the bridge replacement work to begin immediately, citing among other things, reasons of public safety.

“Our Delegation will continue to push the Administration on making the replacement of the Route 72 bridge an immediate priority within its capital infrastructure plan. We will continue to work with residents and local officials to get the state to start taking this issue more seriously and we do convey that further delay of this project is totally unacceptable.”

9th District Delegation Cites Bridge Repair Work Controversy as Further Evidence Project Needs to Get Underway Immediately Citing the victory today in the decision by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to delay any lane closings on the Route 72 Causeway Bridge until after Labor Day, [...]