NJDOT and the NJ Tidelands Resource Council have scheduled a re-hearing for a permit for DOT's Route 29 construction project, which will pave over the last accessible part of Trenton's waterfront. The project's opponents, including the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, are contesting the re-hearing, arguing that there is no special reason why a project rejected once should get another shot at a "yes" vote. If held, the hearing will take place August 5, and will involve the project's opponents and its backers at the NJ DOT. But at least one New Jersey employee has been ordered by state bosses to stay away.

Lee Widjeskog, a biologist for the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife, spoke out against Route 29 construction during previous Tidelands Resource Council hearings, despite DEP's official backing of the project. The project will fill a part of the Delaware River used by spawning fish. Widjeskog's division had opposed the project, but ultimately DEP issued a building permit for the highway extension.

Governor Christine Whitman supports destruction of the waterfront.

Now, DEP bosses have ordered Widjeskog to stay away from the next Tidelands Resource Council hearing. "DEP has issued the permit, and there's no need for anyone from DEP to say anything else about this issue," DEP Assistant Commissioner Raymond Cantor told the Trentonian. Widjeskog said he will skip the hearing, but will continue to denounce the project if asked about it.

See information related to this article:

• Click here to see Route 29 opponents' call to Trenton's Mayor and City Council

• Click here to see a traffic study of alternatives to Route 29 construction