Transportation group disputes need for N.J. road widening

An advocacy group is urging New Jersey lawmakers to call off planned transportation projects it says would not relieve traffic congestion.

Janna Chernetz with the Tri-State Transportation Campaign said New Jersey’s Transportation Department plans to spend 11 percent of its capital budget on widening roads. That’s too much, she said.

“We need to prioritize a fix-it first strategy given the poor condition of the state’s existing infrastructure,” said Chernetz. “If we’re building new roads and we can’t maintain what we already have, the number of deficient roads is just going to increase over time.”

The group is also calling for the restoration of funding for so-called “smart growth” programs that help towns plan new developments near rail and bus lines to reduce dependency on cars.