Statement on the Extension of Route 55
Prepared March 2003

We are writing on behalf of Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc. (Citizens United). Citizens United, founded in 1979 and incorporated in 1986, is a non profit all-volunteer watershed organization, with approximately 450 memberships. We were instrumental in securing the Wild and Scenic National Park Service dedication of four South Jersey rivers: the Maurice, Menantico, Manumuskin and the Muskee.

Our organization is committed to our mission of preservation and protection of the Maurice River and its tributaries and we focus our activities on these goals. We have developed and manage a large osprey colony project. We have conducted research on the river’s wildlife and habitat diversity. Citizens United is a strong advocate for river protection; we believe we can make a difference, and we do.

As you are aware the New Jersey Assembly Committee on Transportation held a hearing March 27, 2003 considering the extension of Route 55. We would like to reiterate our position. Prior to this reiteration we would like to point to some important developments that have occurred since we adopted a position in 1998 - developments that further bolster our stance.

Shore Connection Meetings Conclude
Two of our members (Trustees B.Kirby & L. Ficcaglia) represented Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc. at Shore Connection meetings (circa 1998-2002). These meetings concluded that many steps needed to be implemented to improve traffic flow: steps that did not involve extending Route 55. These steps are only in infancy in terms of implementation or have not yet been incorporated. This was the second round of meetings by a state-run task force, both of which came to the same conclusion: the extension of Route 55 is not feasible due to costs and environmental constraints. The southern communities neighboring the proposed corridor have revisited the proposal a number of times led by NJ’s transportation organizations. Each time these participants have concluded that construction of the ill-fated roadway is unlikely, proponents of expansion reassemble a new panel of participants and the whole process begins again. This process is costly and a poor utilization of human resources, which could be better spent implementing the recommendations of prior processes. It would be refreshing to see the Committee on Transportation take a lead role in advocating that the alternatives to extension of Route 55 be implemented. These alternatives are the short-term and mid-term strategies that NJDOT and SJTPO are currently pursuing for easing congestion along 55, 49, 50, 347 and 9 - alternatives developed by municipalities, counties, agencies and conservation organizations in a public participation process named Shore Connection.

The Governor and Cabinet Adopt a Smart Growth Policy Aimed at Limiting Urban Sprawl
The Governor and his cabinet have concurred on a Smart Growth initiative. The unveiling of that proposal clearly stated that the goals of the Department of Transportation were to maintain and improve existing corridors and specifically not to open or extend roadways, most certainly not at the expense of environmentally sensitive lands.

This quote is from the State’s website on Smart Growth regarding NJDOT’s philosophy and budget: “DOT's overall smart growth philosophy is to use transportation to shape desired development patterns consistent with the New Jersey State Development and Redevelopment Plan (State Plan) and smart growth as outlined in the Statewide Long Range Transportation Plan. Specifically, DOT evaluates all transportation projects and actions for consistency with the State Plan and smart growth principles, with a view toward encouraging appropriate growth patterns.”

and

“The DOT already has reduced funding in the transportation capital program for highway expansion projects from 20 percent to 4 percent. Initiation and advancement of highway expansion projects would be consistent with the State Plan Policy Map as amended with DEP data regarding environmental conditions.”

The DEP to this end has developed what is being referred to as the Big Map. Various proposed Route 55 extension paths are predominately either in the Pinelands Preserve or the red portions of the map (red denoting environmentally sensitive water resources and critical habitat considerations). We believe the DOT budget should be aimed at maintaining and improving existing roads. Any improvement of the Route 55 situation should consist of the implementation of the Shore Connection Study recommendations.

Previously articulated postion to South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization June 9, 1998
Citizens United appreciates being included in the Route 55 / Shore Connection Committee process. We are supportive of alternative routing, intersection improvements, smart signs, reversible lanes and in general, any viable environmentally friendly considerations that would ease the seasonal traffic flow problems in the shore connection corridors. Foremost, however, it is imperative that alternating check-in days for rental units be implemented before any major realignments or construction projects are considered.

Citizens United is and will continue to be in determined opposition to any considerations that would generate adverse impacts on areas of obvious and documented environmental sensitivity within our sphere of influence.

The environmental significance of the pristine Menantico, Manumuskin, and Muskee River corridors and adjoining properties leads our organization to strongly oppose the consideration and implementation of the “rail - bed” proposal. For the same reason we oppose the Port Elizabeth by-pass option. Outstanding resource values documented by the Federal Wild and Scenic study and subsequent river designations, as well as the presence of adjacent wildlife preserves, make these options irresponsible, infeasible, and short-sighted. We look for your support in opposing such proposals and intend this letter as a statement of record.

Some last thoughts
Many of our members have articulated that “the extension of Route 55 simply shifts the traffic jam to a new terminus.” The only fallacy in this statement is the poor word choice “simply.” There is nothing simple about extending Route 55. It is costly not only from a budgetary position but from an environmental one as well. We urge those in receipt of this letter to advocate the short term and mid-term strategies / alternatives resulting from the Shore Connection Study. Further we ask that “Smart Growth” principles guide the decision-making process. We might mention that South Jersey residents would love to see some of the 14% of NJDOT budget shift funded for maintenance of existing roadways and implementation of sound strategies. Ironically the existing length of Route 55 has been seriously damaged by the harsh 2002-03 winter and is in need of resurfacing.

Citizens United has a long history of participation in issues that impact on the watershed. We have participated and cooperated in the process called Shore Connection. We look to agencies and elected officials to help to implement the outcomes of this process.

Thank you for consideration of our written comment.

On behalf of the officers and trustees of Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc.,

Jane Morton Galetto
President, Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc.
PO Box 474
Millville, NJ 08332

On behalf of the officers and trustees of Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc.,

Share your views on Route 55 with these NJ Assembly members and the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization
NJ Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew
NJ Assemblyman Nick Asselta
Tim Chelius, SJTPO