Bill Text: NJ SR52 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Memorializes Turnpike Authority to reduce tolls by 50% for trucks using Turnpike between midnight and 6:00 a.m.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-03-11 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Transportation Committee [SR52 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-SR52-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Memorializes Turnpike Authority to reduce tolls by 50% for trucks using Turnpike between midnight and 6:00 a.m.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution memorializing the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to reduce tolls by 50 percent for trucks using the New Jersey Turnpike between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m.
Whereas, In March, 1991, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority increased tolls 100% for trucks using the New Jersey Turnpike, and since that toll increase truck traffic on local highways, such as Route 206, Route 31, and Route 1, has increased dramatically; and
Whereas, The increased truck traffic on local highways, which are not designed for such traffic, puts the public using local highways at a greater risk of being involved in a traffic accident and increases wear and tear on those local highways; and
Whereas, Increased New Jersey Turnpike revenues from the toll increase must be offset against the lost revenues from truckers who will no longer use the roadway, the cost of excess wear and tear on local highways, and, most importantly, the cost to public safety; and
Whereas, In weighing these costs, it is clear that it is ultimately more cost effective to reduce tolls for trucks using the New Jersey Turnpike to encourage truckers to use the facility which was designed for such traffic during off-peak hours by reducing tolls by 50 percent for trucks using the Turnpike between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m.; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority is memorialized to reduce tolls by 50 percent for trucks using the New Jersey Turnpike between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m. in order to encourage truckers to use that roadway which was designed for such traffic during off-peak hours.
2. Copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested to by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to the members and Executive Director of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
STATEMENT
This resolution memorializes the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to reduce tolls by 50 percent for trucks using the New Jersey Turnpike between midnight and 6:00 a.m.
In 1991, the Turnpike Authority increased tolls 100% for trucks using the roadway. Since that time, truck traffic on local highways, such as Route 206, Route 31 and Route 1, has increased dramatically. This increased truck traffic on local highways, which are not designed for such traffic, puts the public using local roadways at a greater risk of being involved in a traffic accident.
Although toll revenues have increased, those revenues must be considered in the light of lost revenues from truckers who will no longer use the roadway, the cost of excess wear and tear on local highways, and, most importantly, the cost to public safety. In weighing those costs, it is clear that it is ultimately more cost effective to reduce tolls by 50 percent for trucks using the New Jersey Turnpike between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m. to encourage truckers to use the facility which was designed for such traffic.
