MTR 313, But NJDOT Plans To Add Another 500 Highway Miles

Mobilizing the Region
Issue 313 April 16, 2001

But NJDOT Plans To Add Another 500 Highway Miles

In a preview of its long range plan, NJDOT staff told the audience that the agency plans to add 20 new lane miles of highway capacity per year until 2025. The agency has identified a $85.8 billion capital program, from which DOT would receive 53.2% of the funds and NJTransit 46.8% over time. However, NJDOT staff excluded from that capital program the $3-5 billion cost of the "Access to the Region's Core" passenger tunnel needed to accommodate NJ-NY commuter rail growth.

While DOT staff and consultants claimed the 20 lane-miles per year would tally only 1-2% of the total highway capital budget, DOT's freeway-type projects in recent programs have run much higher than that. At an estimated $30 million per mile, the tally would be more than $14 billion, or 15% of the total highway capital program.

For instance, the cheapest new freeway DOT has built is the Hightstown Bypass, at about $15 million per mile. The new Route 21 Freeway in Passaic and Nutley cost $35 million per mile.