Rt. 92 report lacks direction
Home News Tribune Online 10/6/06
By DAVID STEGON
STAFF WRITER
dstegon@thnt. com
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
released a Final Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Route
92 yesterday, but declined to
give a recommendation for or against the project until a public comment
period ends Nov. 14.
South Brunswick Mayor Frank Gambatese said the corps' reluctance to
give a recommendation is a reflection of a lack of funds for the
more-than-decade-old proposal that would build a 6.7-mile limited
access toll highway connecting Route 1 and the New Jersey Turnpike, but
would require the removal of several acres of wetlands. The road as
proposed is located in South Brunswick, Plainsboro and Monroe.
"Hopefully this will finally put the
project to rest," Gambatese said. "This is pure conjecture, but my guess is that the corps thinks there is
no backing for the project and does not want to make a stand."
Jeff Tittel, executive director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, said the
report of more than 2,500 pages gives a summary of the issues facing
the building of the roadway, but does
not make strong cases for or against the project.
"I think it's pretty weak,"
Tittel said. "The only concern is that, in some way, this will keep the project
alive, as it could give builders justification for obtaining permits,
but that's about all. It's just another step in what has been a
long process."
Gambatese said the project, which was first proposed in the early
1990s, was projected to cost $350 million in 2000. He said the cost has
likely risen to between $600 million and $700 million if construction
was to begin today.
Opponents of the roadway say it will
bring increased traffic to the area along with larger retail
stores.
Proponents of the project say it will make it easier to travel between
Route 1 and the New Jersey Turnpike.
David Stegon: (732) 565-7251; dstegon@thnt.com