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Corzine Expects To Drop Route 440 From Toll Hike

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Feb 10, 2008 7:49 pm US/Eastern

Corzine Expects To Drop Route 440 From Toll Hike

EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) ― Gov. Jon S. Corzine said Sunday he would likely drop Route 440 from his plan to significantly increase highway tolls to pay state debt and fund transportation projects.

Speaking at a public meeting in Middlesex County, Corzine drew applause from the crowd of about 500 when he said "I don't think we will be moving forward with that aspect," The Star-Ledger of Newark reported in a story posted on its Web site Sunday.

The governor later told a reporter: "I'm a practical guy. It's (including Route 440) not happening. It's not worth a lot of conversation."

Under his proposal, Corzine wants to pay off at least half of $32 billion in state debt and fund transportation projects for 75 years by creating a new agency that would borrow about $38 billion.

To pay that money back, he wants to increase tolls 50 percent in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. Those increases would include inflation adjustments and, after 2022, tolls would increase every four years until 2085 to reflect inflation.

Corzine had said the Atlantic City Expressway, Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike and Route 440 would be affected. He had proposed a 35-cent toll for Route 440, a major artery in the Middlesex County area, and that drew sharp criticism from local lawmakers in the region and state legislators who represent the area.

Sunday's meeting at East Brunswick High School was the 12th session Corzine has held on the proposal he announced last month.  He has vowed to hold at least one meeting in each of the state's 21 counties so residents can voice their opinions and make suggestions about the plan.

(© 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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