JERSEY CITY MAYOR STEVEN FULOP, COUNCILMEMBER JAMES SOLOMON, AND MEMBERS OF THE JERSEY CITY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL JOIN STATEWIDE EXPERTS AND ADVOCATES OPPOSING THE STATE’S ENVIRONMENTALLY-DISASTROUS TURNPIKE EXPANSION PLAN

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Today, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop will join Jersey City Ward E Councilmember James Solomon, Jersey City Council President Joyce Watterman, fellow Councilmembers, and statewide advocates across New Jersey in opposing the Turnpike Authority’s wasteful, environmentally-disastrous expansion plan.

This move comes as Councilmember Solomon, with the support of the Mayor, the Council President, and members of the Jersey City Council, are set to introduce a formal resolution to be submitted as public comment to the United States Coast Guard, which is collecting public input on the state’s Environmental Assessment of the Turnpike expansion plan. The resolution outlines the disparate climate impact of the expansion on Jersey City residents, particularly in underserved neighborhoods, and requests that the Coast Guard reject the Turnpike Authority’s assessment and conduct its own independent study.

“I am deeply concerned about the adverse impacts the New Jersey Turnpike expansion will have on our vibrant community, inciting worsening traffic and environmental hazards that can jeopardize the safety and well-being of our residents and families,” said Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop. “I hope our collective efforts will urge the Coast Guard to conduct its own independent study so that we can protect our community and ensure these billions of taxpayers dollars are used appropriately.”

“As Council President, I am committed to ensuring the well-being of our residents and protecting our environment,” said Jersey City Council President Joyce Watterman. “The proposed Turnpike expansion raises significant concerns regarding its potential impact on our community. I am proud to co-sponsor this resolution with Councilman Solomon, calling for an independent and thorough environmental assessment by the United States Coast Guard. We must ensure that any development in our city is done with transparency and in the best interest of our residents. I urge all community members to join us at the Greenville Rally to voice our collective opposition to this expansion and demand the accountability our city deserves.”

“The state’s wasteful environmental disaster of a plan to expand the Turnpike would have devastating consequences for the quality of life in Ward E,” said Ward E Councilmember James Solomon. “I’ve stood shoulder-to-shoulder with advocates across the state in opposing this plan, which would increase pollution and congestion in Ward E and all across the city even as NJ Transit’s crisis of delays, which have still not been addressed, force even more commuters onto our roads. The only solution to this crisis is not by expanding a highway further, but by using those billions of dollars to improve our rail infrastructure. I hope the state sees fit to change course.”

“It makes no sense to widen lanes that go to the same place,” said Ward D Councilmember Frank “Educational” Gilmore. “It’s not going to decrease congestion. If anything, it’s going to increase. The environmental impact alone is cause for concern, for Bayonne and Jersey City.  There are so many other things that we could be doing with these funds. It’s a huge waste of money.”

“While I understand that infrastructure upgrades along the turnpike and bridges are very necessary, the residents of Jersey City and Hudson County deserve a comprehensive environmental impact statement that truly addresses very real environmental concerns,” said Ward B Councilmember Mira Prinz-Arey. “The Turnpike Authority’s current draft assessment does not take into account the increase in vehicles on the road and the air and noise pollution it will cause. There are opportunities here to address aging infrastructure with innovative transit solutions, and public transportation improvements will do more to stimulate economic development and create good jobs than expanding highways. A serious study that includes alternatives to expanding the turnpike will show us the best alternatives and outcomes for Jersey City.”

“The current environmental assessment conducted by the Turnpike Authority raises significant concerns and has been flagged by numerous activist groups for its potential shortcomings” said Ward D Councilmember Yousef J Saleh. We cannot proceed without a thorough and independent review of these findings, as well as a full environmental study on the potential impact of the turnpike expansion. Therefore, I fully support Councilman Solomon’s resolution and urge the United States Coast Guard and the EPA to conduct an independent environmental study. This is essential to ensure that any decision made is based on accurate, unbiased data and truly reflects the best interests of our city and its residents.”

“Safety for our residents is our top concern,” said Ward A Councilmember Denise Ridley. That includes safeguarding their health/environment they reside in. The Turnpike Authority has done a horrible job communicating with elected officials and residents on this expansion project. We want to be sure proper assessments have taken place.”

“Jersey City and the greater New York City metropolitan area suffers from serious congestion and negative environmental impacts due to a uniquely high volume of traffic in the area,” said Councilmember-at-Large Daniel Rivera. ”More road space does not reduce traffic; in fact, traffic tends to increase due to induced demand. Investment in public transit is far more efficient and necessary than wastefully overspending on ineffective endeavors such as highway expansion. The Environmental Assessment done by the NJTA is extremely flawed in its methodology and conclusions, and the plan to expand the highway itself is not in the best interests of Jersey City and the surrounding area. Therefore as a veteran and concerned citizen, I unequivocally support the resolution introduced by Councilman Solomon and call for the United States Coast Guard to reject the NJ Turnpike Authority’s Environmental Assessment.”

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James Solomon represents downtown Jersey City as the Ward E Councilperson. He’s focused on building a just city with affordable housing and improved mass transit, bicycling, and pedestrian infrastructure. He is also an adjunct professor of political science at Saint Peter’s University, New Jersey City University, and Hudson County Community College.