Weinstein Supports Proposed
Transportation Enhancement District Initiative
Transportation Commissioner James Weinstein gave his full support to the proposed "Transportation Enhancement and Congestion Relief Act" introduced today by Assemblyman Alex DeCroce of Morris County.
If approved, the new law would enable counties, in collaboration with municipalities, to establish a Transportation Enhancement District (TED), a new planning mechanism for local governments to address transportation problems at the local level. The TED process establishes a voluntary and cooperative partnership to look at solutions, costs and the sharing of expenses through a long-term comprehensive planning approach.
"This measure affords local governments the legal tools to determine how to make transportation investments that support economic growth by planning for both new development and redevelopment. We are creating the ability to meet local and regional needs through our county and local partners," Commissioner Weinstein said.
"I commend Assemblyman DeCroce and the Regional Intergovernmental Transportation Coordinating Study Commission for their efforts at bringing about legislation that can help local governments, in partnership with the state and private sector, solve their transportation issues as they see fit," he added.
The TEDs concept provides a new opportunity for voluntary collaboration across local governments and with state transportation agencies and the private sector. It also provides increased flexibility in meeting present and future transportation needs in a permissive, locally driven planning process. A TED can provide to local leaders the tools they need to help finance needed improvements according to a locally generated plan.
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