NJ DOT has called the 2000 Transportation Trust Fund Law's directive to reduce the backlog of structurally deficient bridge and pavement repair projects by half within five years "not feasible." However, analysis of the DOT budget shows sufficient state funding has not been allocated to even attempt to meet the goal. In fact, the Department cut its annual spending of Transportation Trust Fund money on bridge repair by half in the 2002 capital program over the 2000 and 2001 program which was submitted to the legislature before repair was designated a central spending goal in Trust Fund Law (MTR #316)

Discussion with the Governor's office is ongoing, but Campaign representatives said little progress was made in the meeting. Reform advocates are seeking at least an additional $45 million for structurally deficient bridge and road pavement projects in the DOT 2002 capital program. The money could be shifted from new highway projects or be carved out of the $90 million siphoned off the Transportation Trust Fund for the state's general fund.

After the meeting, the Campaign released a statement warning that it is prepared to go to court to enforce the repair priorities if a budget deal is not worked out soon.

The Campaign has repeatedly urged Acting Governor DiFrancesco to direct the Department of Transportation to rewrite its capital program. The group was joined last month by dozens of environmental, civic, and transit rider groups who wrote to Governor DiFrancesco, calling on him to hold the Department to bridge and road repair priorities. Concerned legislators like Assembly Appropriations Chair Richard Bagger have also written urging the Governor to take action on this issue.

"Acting Governor DiFrancesco drafted the Trust Fund law as State Senate President, so he knows what it says and requires," said Jennifer Jaroski, Campaign spokesperson. "To comply with the law and to uphold voter trust, he should direct the DOT to spend more money on bridge and road repair in 2002 and the years to come."

New Jersey's editorial boards, which strongly backed inclusion of NJDOT spending goals like the "fix-it-first" provision in the state's transportation funding authorization last year, are taking note of this year's fight over DOT's defiance of the law.

The Home News Tribune, the paper of record for Middlesex County, came out May 6th in support of a revised NJDOT capital program. In an editorial, the paper wrote:

"Environmentalists are right to suggest that this is an issue of trust; the DOT should not be allowed to ignore the goals of the trust-fund legislation simply by declaring them unreasonable. When the Legislature considers DOT's budget later this spring, it should work to remake the balance of the budget, including adding money for the planning and carrying out of additional bridge repair."

The Asbury Park Press recently called NJDOT's stance on its budget "a betrayal of voters' trust" (see MTR #315).