1,800 letters written against Route 92

Trenton Times
July 27, 2004

South Brunswick officials yesterday said they delivered 1,800 letters to Gov. James E. McGreevey opposing construction of Route 92.

The proposed highway would run from Route 1 in South Brunswick to New Jersey Turnpike Exit 8A in Monroe. It would be built by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.

South Brunswick released a statement saying that the letters were delivered by Mayor Frank Gambatese and Deputy Mayor Carol Barrett.

Recently, the Army Corps of Engineers released a draft environmental impact statement that deemed the proposed roadway the least disruptive way to provide east-west highway movement in Central Jersey.

But South Brunswick and other opponents contend the highway will bring increased traffic to local roads, damage the environment and promote development. Supporters, such as Plainsboro and Monroe, contend the highway will ease congested Route 1 traffic.

The Army Corps is working to finalize its environmental impact statement, which will be used to help decide whether to issue permits to fill wetlands during highway construction. The state approved those permits five years ago, but the Environmental Protection Agency rejected them.

The McGreevey administration has cited the need for traffic relief in the area, but has said that it won't make a final decision until the Army Corps report is finalized.