New Jersey-2012-S2907-Introduced

An Act designating the Stone Harbor Boulevard Interchange of the Garden State Parkway as the "Christopher Meyer Memorial Interchange."

Whereas, In November 2004, Christopher Meyer was tragically killed in a car accident at the Stone Harbor Boulevard intersection on the Garden State Parkway; and

Whereas, Christopher Meyer, who was 17 years old at the time of the accident, had aspirations of joining the United States Navy; and

Whereas, The Stone Harbor Boulevard intersection, where Christopher Meyer was killed, the Shell Bay Avenue intersection, and the Crest Haven Road intersection on the Garden State Parkway are notoriously dangerous intersections; and

Whereas, Since 2004, three people, including Christopher Meyer, have died as a result of accidents at these signalized intersections and, every year, there are countless accidents that occur at these dangerous intersections; and

Whereas, Since his son's death, Erik Meyer, Christopher Meyer's father, has been a tireless advocate for removing the traffic lights at the intersections on the Garden State Parkway; and

Whereas, Recently, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the State of New Jersey have approved a plan to replace the traffic lights at the intersections with ramps to provide full access interchanges and improve vehicle safety; and

Whereas, As the traffic lights are removed from the Shell Bay Avenue, Stone Harbor Boulevard, and the Crest Haven Road intersections of the Garden State Parkway, it is altogether fitting and proper that the State of New Jersey honor the life of Christopher Meyer and the tireless work of his father, Erik Meyer, who sought the safety improvements at these intersections, by naming the Stone Harbor Boulevard Interchange as the "Christopher Meyer Memorial Interchange"; now, therefore,

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Executive Director of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority shall designate the Stone Harbor Boulevard Interchange of the Garden State Parkway as the "Christopher Meyer Memorial Interchange" and erect appropriate signs bearing this designation and dedication.

2. No State, New Jersey Turnpike Authority, or other public funds shall be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act. The Executive Director of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority is authorized to receive gifts, grants, or other financial assistance from private sources for the purpose of funding or reimbursing the New Jersey Turnpike Authority for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, and erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act and entering into agreements related thereto, with such private sources, including but not limited to non-governmental non-profit, educational, or charitable entities or institutions. No work shall proceed and no funding shall be accepted until an agreement has been reached with a responsible party for paying the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining the signs.

3. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill directs the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to designate the Stone Harbor Boulevard Interchange of the Garden State Parkway as the "Christopher Meyer Memorial Interchange."

In November 2004, 17 year old Christopher Meyer was tragically killed in a car accident at the Stone Harbor Boulevard intersection of the Garden State Parkway. Since 2004, three people, including Christopher Meyer, have died as a result of car accidents at the Shell Bay Avenue, Stone Harbor Boulevard, and Crest Haven Road intersections of the Garden State Parkway. Since his son's death, Erik Meyer, Christopher Meyer's father, has been an advocate for the removal of the traffic lights at those intersections on the Garden State Parkway.

This bill honors the life of Christopher Meyer and the work of his father by naming the Stone Harbor Boulevard Interchange on the Garden State Parkway as the "Christopher Meyer Memorial Interchange." The bill provides that no State, New Jersey Turnpike Authority, or other public funds may be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting the signs bearing the designation.