Commissioner Weinstein Will Tour
Brielle Circle Stressing Importance of
Renewing the Transportation Trust Fund

The Brielle Circle, where routes 34, 35 and 70 join, is routinely congested. The circle elimination project, scheduled for completion by spring of 2001, is part of a larger $23 million project to dualize Route 70.

AWe are fortunate to enjoy a robust economy that can allow us to program state funding for transportation projects over the next four years without an increase in state taxes,@ Commissioner Weinstein said. ASince our transportation needs for the next four years far outweigh our resources we need additional dedicated sources of revenue to continue to build upon the past achievements of the Transportation Trust Fund.@

On the November ballot is a question asking the public to authorize the dedication of revenue from the existing sales tax and gross receipts on the sale of petroleum products. If authorized, the Transportation Trust Fund will stand to gain $1.12 billion in new dedicated sources of revenue over the current fiscal year and next three fiscal years.

ANew Jersey is perhaps the most transportation dependent state in the nation, so it is fitting that under Governor Whitman=s leadership we continue to make great strides in renewing and improving upon our diverse transportation system needs now and in the future,@ Commissioner Weinstein said.

AOver the next four fiscal years we plan to spend $3.75 billion in state funds for highways bridges, rail and bus improvements, local transportation needs, airports, goods movement, bicycle and pedestrian projects, transportation enhancements, and transportation and economic development projects,@ the Commissioner said.

ANew Jersey is the nation=s most densely populated state with one of the most heavily used transportation systems. We need more investment -- not less -- to continue to improve our quality of life and stay economically competitive, Weinstein added.