In the Oct. 27 Star-Ledger, editorial writer P.L. Wyckoff created a checklist for measuring the McGreevey administration’s success at controlling sprawl.  Building fewer new roads was #1 on the list.  Wyckoff wrote that a clear measure in this area would be further limiting the level of spending on new roads, which the DOT says is 4% of its total budget this year, and spending more on repair of existing bridges and roads.

Two other points on the list specifically mentioned transportation: build more parking at train stations and limiting road-clogging development in outlying areas.  Transportation Commissioner Jamie Fox also included all three strategies in his remarks during the sprawl summit (MTR #389).

Wyckoff’s piece ran alongside an op-ed by Governor McGreevey and a Q&A with NJ environmental protection commissioner Bradley Campbell, discussing topics covered at the summit.  The centrality of transportation issues in their discussions is a hopeful sign.

Both the Governor and Campbell highlighted the need to focus transportation spending on maintenance and repair projects instead of building new roads.  They also echoed a theme raised at the summit — that the state transportation department should not take responsibility for congestion created by municipalities with poor planning.

“...[W]e will control the development that spills onto our roadways by restricting major highway access,” wrote the Governor.  “We must consider the potential impact on our road system before development takes place. Sound planning must come first.” 

Commissioner Campbell also said the administration was already making strides towards capping sprawl, using the DOT as one positive example.  “Under Commissioner Jamie Fox’s “Fix it First” philosophy, DOT already has stopped sprawl-inducing road projects,” he said.

Congestion and Sprawl: Whose Problem to Solve?
(Sept. 28, 2002)

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