MTR 320, Another Toll Holiday Bid, Careful Language from DiFrancesco

Issue 320

June 4, 2001

Another Toll Holiday Bid, Careful Language from DiFrancesco

In a surprise move last week, Acting New Jersey Governor Donald DiFrancesco issued an executive order directing NJ DOT to prepare a proposal by June 30th for removing the toll barrier plazas from the Garden State Parkway within ten years.Simultaneously, the order asked DOT Commissioner James Weinstein, also a New Jersey Highway Authority commissioner, to request that the Authority declare a 24-hour toll holiday for Labor Day, September 3rd, and to institute unspecified permanent discounts for E-ZPass users.

The executive order was carefully worded to commit the DOT to creating a “Parkway Congestion Relief Plan” that would “phase out toll barrier plazas on the Parkway.”The language left unclear whether the final proposal would be transformation of the Parkway into a freeway, leaving on- and off-ramp toll booths in place while eliminating the highway barrier plazas, or replacement of barrier toll plazas with high-speed E-Z Pass tolls.The New York Times reported that administration officials have said that all three outcomes are being considered.

According to the Star-Ledger, DiFrancesco suggested it would require at least four years and $130 million to tear down the barrier tolls. Parkway officials have released a similar figure as an estimate for installing high-speed toll readers (MTR #277).High speed tolls are the preferred fall-back solution to Parkway congestion for gubernatorial candidates Bob Franks and Jim McGreevey.

There was also widespread uncertainty about how a toll free day would be brought about.Newspapers cited the Acting Governor, the DOT Commissioner, and others stating that an act of legislature, an emergency order from the Acting Governor, public hearings, or simply approval by Parkway commissioners would be required.Parkway officials report that a toll-free Labor Day would cost the toll road $450,000 in lost revenues and an additional $200,000 to pay for signs, state troopers, and for toll collectors to answer questions and wave drivers through the plaza.

Given the confusion a toll-free day could engender, the order could very well lead to even greater Parkway congestion.Representatives for the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers said they feared for safety of the workers they represent.

Transportation reformers welcomed the directive for E-ZPass discounts. Discounts are needed to increase the Parkway’s 45% E-ZPass market share to a percentage more on par with the Turnpike’s 60%.The Highway Authority could encourage E-ZPass further by phasing out tokens and the associated discount.