acoursen t1_ixa6k5a wrote
Reply to comment by fasda in NJ Turnpike Authority Transforms a Useless $4.4B Project into a Useless $10.7B Project by jimmybot
But in what way is NJ Transit connected to NJTA? They aren't, and each have their own budgets and revenue streams to address what each entity is responsible for in regards to M&O and capitol programs. So ones spending spree, no matter the proposed use, has no affect on the needs or wants of other agencies.
fasda t1_ixaa424 wrote
The money is from the people of NJ and run by our state. If the TA is profligate in their spending then they should have some of their money sent to others like NJ transit who could invest it more wisely.
acoursen t1_ixad17g wrote
Well the out of starters driving thru also contribute. All the toll money, train and bus passes don't go into one bucket to be freely shared. And if you think NJ Transit could manage the money better, then you are the only one.
fasda t1_ixaqevf wrote
and for causing traffic in our state they can subsidize our public transportation.
HobbitFoot t1_ixcjkeb wrote
They do now.
fasda t1_ixdi2er wrote
Are you sure? there doesn't seem to be a mention of it on their budget. Granted I only read the summary of the expenses.
HobbitFoot t1_ixdjyfi wrote
The 2022 Budget in Brief Page 13 has three lines: 2016 State Transportation Projects Funding Agreement, 2021 State Transportation Projects Funding Agreement, and Proposed Gateway Project Tunnel.
The transfers are large enough to be in the summary.
Alchohlica t1_ixabqsa wrote
I think I read somewhere the Fed won’t allow them to move their revenue to the state only allowing it for roads
jimmybot OP t1_ixaih91 wrote
NJTA doesn't receive Federal funding. In fact, a drop in the bucket when we're talking statewide line items, but NJTA is sending a few hundred million per year to NJTransit. The state is free to do as it pleases with NJTA revenue as long as it is able to make payments on its bonds.
Alchohlica t1_ixajtj8 wrote
Ah ok, I just remembered them saying they hey could sell bonds to like Arkansas or something for turnpikes
fasda t1_ixaeyce wrote
Can the TA invest their money in bonds? if they can have NJtransit issue bonds and then we are in business.
SadMasterpiece7019 t1_ixaista wrote
This is why people are calling to disband the NJTA.
acoursen t1_ixal613 wrote
Really? That would be unwise. Bitch all you want about any proposal such as this, but it is a fairly well run agency.
SadMasterpiece7019 t1_ixaqwg4 wrote
How so? $10 billion boondoggles aside, of course.
acoursen t1_ixatbmk wrote
I don't see anyone bitching about the 6 to 9 widening or the GSP widening that took place over the last decade, and in some cases under budget. They have a 10 year, $24B capital program they are on now that includes widening from Exit 4 to Delaware. Not to mention all the old bridges being repaired or replaced - all the while keeping the operations of each road moving fairly well. And whatever is being planned for this extension will take 20-30 years to be completed, at best. So future planning that may not make a whole lot of sense now, still need to be made and we can't just be thinking for today. North Jersey wouldn't be North Jersey without the infrastructure to make it happen. Yet we keep spitting out more people who need to move around, so instead of waiting for the Jetsons to show us the way that is better, we need to keep improving what we have.
So, back to your question, who would take over these decisions and planning/design processes? What other agency in your eyes would perform better and for less money, while keeping the economic engine of the region performing at it's highest level?
SadMasterpiece7019 t1_ixaumml wrote
Highway widening doesn't work. Induced demand has been known for decades. All the NJTA has in their capital plan is highway widening. It's an agency staffed by engineers, funding engineers.
Are you downvoting my replies? lol
acoursen t1_ixawvkl wrote
That's correct, to an extent. It's also a prime mover behind sprawl that is an issue. Water under the bridge in NJ. But it takes multi-faceted solutions that has to be accepted and used. Mass transit needs to be better used, but that's not the prime mission of the Turnpike Authority. And what was good for a population in the 40's and 50's isn't going to satisfy the population of now and for the 60-70 ensuing years.
p4177y t1_ixax0ho wrote
> $10 billion boondoggles aside, of course.
Would you prefer they not update estimates for capital projects instead? It's not like they've put contracts out to bid.
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