Mayor-Elect Solomon Responds to Scaled-Back New Jersey Turnpike Expansion Plan

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Mayor-Elect James Solomon today released the following statement in response to reports that the New Jersey Turnpike Authority will significantly scale back its proposed expansion through Jersey City:

"The announcement that the Turnpike will not expand within Jersey City prevents additional highway lanes from tearing through our neighborhoods. This is welcomed news, and we appreciate the work of advocacy groups who never stopped fighting for our residents' health and well-being.

"However, while we appreciate this scaled-back plan, let's be clear: billions of dollars are still being spent to move more cars through our region instead of investing in the mass transit and safe streets that Jersey City families actually need. We'll keep pushing for a transportation policy that prioritizes people over traffic."

The revised plan reportedly maintains the current two-lane configuration through Jersey City rather than expanding to six lanes as originally proposed, while still proceeding with a four-lane bridge expansion across Newark Bay.

Mayor-Elect James Solomon has been a vocal advocate for mass transit improvements and traffic safety infrastructure throughout his campaign and tenure on the Jersey City Council. Mayor-Elect Solomon was elected Mayor of Jersey City on December 2 with a mandate to pursue an aggressive agenda focused on affordability, modernizing city services and operations, and delivering a competent and effective government. Mayor-elect Solomon previously served as a two-term councilman, where he built a reputation for standing against corruption and fighting for housing affordability and a more responsive City government. Mayor-elect Solomon will take office on January 15.