Each day, millions of New Jerseyans travel the state’s rundown roads and drive across its crumbling bridges and trestles. They sit in traffic because streets are closed, are late for work because buses break down and spend hours stuck in terminals because there are not enough mass transit options. On June 30, 2015, less than a year from now, the state’s Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) will officially run out of money to fix any of these problems. Without identifying a solution to the crisis, we are putting our safety and livelihoods at risk.
The coalition ForwardNJ is a collaborative effort of a diverse and broad base of New Jersey organizations that are focused on reforming and replenishing the state’s transportation system. Our goal is replenishment of the Trust Fund in a sustainable fashion with constitutionally dedicated funding. Every penny put into the fund must go directly toward fixing and improving our infrastructure. These funds, in turn, will be used to make our roads and bridges safer, while creating greater opportunities for mass transit.
The fact there is no long-term solution to this dire problem threatens the safety and quality of life of residents and commuters and the health of our economy. Moreover, replenishing the TTF will help create thousands of employment opportunities, spurring economic growth and development at a time when it is sorely needed in New Jersey.
There are a variety of options from which our elected representatives can select the appropriate solutions. Among these are:
- Reform and consolidate management of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, NJ Transit, the New Jersey Turnpike and Parkway authorities and the South Jersey Transportation Authority. This would result in massive savings over 10 years, estimated at $1 billion, by making government more effective, efficient and innovative.
- Reduce the burden on consumers by creating public-private partnerships to help finance capital improvement projects, freeing up hundreds of millions in TTF funds. With additional resources available, the number of capital projects under way at one time would increase.
- Invest by reforming the revenue process for transportation funds and using new and innovative revenue options. ForwardNJ has listed various options where this could occur on our website, ForwardNewJersey.com.
The solutions are not easy, but we also know that doing nothing is not an option. Thousands of miles of state roadways and hundreds of bridges are in desperate need of repair or replacement, ranking New Jersey among the worst in the nation. In fact, 46 percent of New Jersey roads eligible for federal aid are rated “not acceptable” by the Federal Highway Administration and need major repairs or replacement. This is the highest percentage in the country.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, New Jersey workers have the second-longest average commute in the country at 33 minutes. This is 37 percent above the national average of 24 minutes. These nine minutes have significant consequences on worker productivity and quality of life; collectively, New Jersey’s 3.9 million commuters are stuck in the car for the equivalent of an additional 35 million minutes every day — minutes parents can’t spend with their children and minutes when employees are away from their work, causing productivity to drop.
In addition to safety, there is a significant benefit to the state economy of finding a long-term solution to the TTF problem. Nearly 2 million New Jersey jobs depend on a modern updated infrastructure system. Investing in transportation reform will serve to expand these job opportunities.
To put it frankly, New Jersey’s transportation system is out of gas and the need for reform is critical. ForwardNJ is pleased that conversations have begun to focus on developing real solutions to the crisis facing New Jersey’s transportation infrastructure. In the near future, ForwardNJ hopes for continued fruitful discussion by our leadership on this issue and for resolution that is reliable, sustainable and ensures funding is constitutionally dedicated to the TTF. With collaboration and committed effort from members, stakeholders and the general public, ForwardNJ is determined to play a central role in moving New Jersey forward.
Tom Bracken is chairman of ForwardNJ and president of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.