NEWS |
000-00: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE , November 16, 2000
The proposal, still in draft form, would target investments and pricing policies to reduce the roadway congestion that costs the region at least $9 billion a year, forces drivers to waste time in ever-worsening traffic and steadily erodes the quality of life for millions of users of the Port Authority bridges and tunnels.
The proposed solutions, among others, would include congestion pricing for commercial vehicles to encourage off-peak use of bridges and tunnels, expand high-tech traffic management systems, and fund a new fleet of PATH cars and a new signal and automatic train control system for PATH to increase capacity.
The proposed package would also strengthen the region's standing as a hub of international business and travel by investing billions of dollars in airports and maritime ports in both states. Funding this package involves toll and fare hikes, which are unchanged on the bridges and tunnels since 1991 and on PATH since 1987. Without such increases, the Port Authority will not be able make the investments that are necessary to sustain the region's remarkable economic growth.
The agency will also be restricted in its ability to carry out necessary maintenance and repair work on facilities that are, in many cases, a half-century old or older. The outlook will be for worsening congestion, higher costs to businesses, environmental degradation and declining competitiveness and quality of life in the region.
This proposal is subject to change and would move forward only after approval by the Board of Commissioners and Governors of New York and New Jersey, and after public hearings.
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