NJDOT presents $800,000 for Sayreville Park & Ride
(Sayreville)
Furthering Governor James E. McGreevey's promise of creating
20,000 new Park & Ride spaces throughout the State, NJDOT
Commissioner Jack Lettiere, Assemblyman John Wisniewski and Assemblyman
Joseph Vas presented a check to Sayreville Mayor Kennedy O'Brien
for $800,000 for the construction and development of a new Sayreville
Park & Ride facility that will add 290 new parking spaces
to provide mass transit options. (See
Graphics)
"An important
component of Governor McGreevey's aggressive smart growth and
congestion relief efforts is the Park & Ride program, which
focuses on giving people reasonable transportation alternatives
to using their cars," said Department of Transportation Commissioner
Jack Lettiere. "Two years ago, the Governor announced a bold
initiative to create 20,000 Park & Ride spaces throughout
the State over the next 5 years. I am proud to say that we are
meeting his challenge. This Park & Ride in Sayreville
will be a critical asset to the region and I would like to thank
Chairman Wisniewski, Assemblyman Vas, and Senator Vitale for their
dedication in advancing the Governor's ambitious goal."
The parking
expansion supports Governor McGreevey's “Smart Growth” initiative
and promise to add 20,000 new parking spaces that will provide
an increase of 23% in park and ride availability for New Jersey
commuters. By the end of this year, over 12,000 new parking
spaces will have been added since the Governor announced his plan
in 2002. Under the five-year plan, the NJDOT, NJ Transit
and regional agencies are coordinating the 16-county parking expansion
program.
"For
many Sayreville residents who commute into New York City and
Northern
New Jersey every day, this park and ride will make their commute
and their lives a little bit easier," said Assemblyman John
Wisniewski. "In my conversations with commuters, I have become
convinced our residents need real relief from our congested highways.
This park and ride will be heartily welcomed by those who would
otherwise find themselves stuck in traffic."
"We
are happy to be able to assist Governor McGreevey and Commissioner
Lettiere in their mandate to expand and improve Park and Ride
services throughout the State,” said Michael Lapolla, Executive
Director of the New Jersey Turnpike.
"I
commend Commissioner Lettiere for making the Park & Ride a
reality, and Assemblyman Wisniewski for his hard work in achieving
this goal," stated Senator Joe Vitale. "Our residents
will greatly benefit from the decreased congestion and increased
quality of life that this will bring."
Since he
took office, Governor James E. McGreevey has worked to improve
the quality of life for all families in New Jersey. In
the most densely populated state in the nation, the congestion
on our roads, bridges, trains, buses and ferries significantly
impacts the daily lives of working people and adversely impacts
our State's economy. Traffic and congestion costs the New
Jersey economy over $7 billion each year in lost time, operating
cost and wasted fuel. In addition, motorists lose over
260 million hours each year to congestion delays. Governor
McGreevey's Park & Ride initiative provides congestion relief
and significantly improves the quality of life of New Jersey residents.
###
