Fox's first two E-ZPass
fixes enacted by Turnpike Authority
Transportation Commissioner James P. Fox today applauded commissioners of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority for enacting the first two operational reforms he has recommended as a result of the ongoing E-ZPass review ordered by Governor McGreevey.
“The operational problems confronting E-ZPass are massive, and the funding shortfalls and effects they will have on the budgets of all the authorities are severe,” said Fox. “Quite simply, 120 days is too long to wait to act.”
“Quick action will help to finally provide the citizens of New Jersey with the E-ZPass system they were promised and paid for,” said Fox.
The Turnpike Authority hired Walter Kristlibas as Quality Management Team Project Manager for E-ZPass. He has been responsible for planning, technical design, contract negotiations and the successful deployment of E-ZPass at all 77 lanes and six toll plazas at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
“Walter Kristlibas is one of the few individuals who can say he has overseen a successful and timely E-ZPass deployment,” said Fox. “He was the only individual with the foresight to recognize that the proposed financing scheme and implementation plan were ill-conceived and impossible to execute.”
As a consortium member, Kristlibas had the courage of his convictions to vote against the awarding of the original contract in 1996.
The Turnpike Authority also approved Veridian Engineering as an independent testing contractor.
“An independent tester will conclusively determine what’s not working properly, so we can best make decisions on how to proceed,” said Fox.
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