Uniting New Jersey against the toxic widening of the Newark Bay-Hudson County Turnpike Extension (I-78).
NJTA wants to spend $4.7 $10.7 billion just to repeat decades of failed policies that harm urban and environmental justice communities.
Meanwhile, NJ Transit riders face unreliable and infrequent service and large fare hikes.
Grassroots organizations from around New Jersey are standing together to put a stop to the toxic, wasteful widening of the I-78 Turnpike Extension’s approach to the Holland Tunnel.
The iron law of traffic, induced demand, has told us since the era of Robert Moses that “one more lane” does not fix congestion as new trips fill up the extra space, overflow to regional roadways, and ultimately generate more traffic and pollution.
Despite the vast space the Turnpike Extension and the Holland Tunnel occupy, transit already serves over 90% of NJ to NYC commutes with the Holland Tunnel only serving a minuscule 3%.
Our health and environment deserve better. Our underfunded transit system deserves better. New Jersey deserves better.
Hudson County will bear the brunt of the expansion.
Hudson County is the densest county in the state and the NJ Turnpike Authority wants to use eminent domain to widen a highway right through it. Instead of making needed repairs, the plan is to tear down the existing roadway and build the Turnpike back wider. The health and environmental impact will be massive. What is that $10.7 billion really buying us?
Instead of a widening to no where, the same sum could be redirected to much needed transit investments from:
Finally putting the “Bergen” in Hudson-Bergen Light Rail
A Newark-Jersey City light rail connection bridging NJ’s two largest cities
Statewide train improvements including electrification that will lead to more reliable and faster service
Dedicated bus lanes that will move 10X the volume as existing lanes and give commuters affordable and speedy commutes
Greenways and desperately needed bike and walk safety improvements that will help New Jersey end the epidemic of traffic violence and achieve Vision Zero
The Effective Transit Alliance has produced a comprehensive report that details dollar-for-dollar how we can practically spend these funds for faster, more efficient, and more sustainable transportation options around the state.
Does anyone really want this?
The citizens of Hudson County made it clear that we won’t stand for this project.
The elected officials of Jersey City and Hoboken along with groups across the state certainly don’t.
How do we put a stop to this?
We need to make our voices heard. Contact Governor Murphy and your state legislators. Call in to NJ Turnpike Authority board meetings. Let everyone know where you stand on the #TurnpikeTrap.
“We believe the project’s intent to increase motor vehicle traffic is ill-conceived, harmful to the air and water quality throughout the region …”
— SafeStreetsJC
Let’s tell Trenton that our health and environment are worth more than some turnpike toll revenue.
Sign up to get involved and have your voice heard. Together we can stop the public health and climate assault being waged by NJ Turnpike Authority.