Trenton Times
Saturday, April 03, 2004
State Sen. Peter Inverso, R-Hamilton, said a proposed bus rapid transit (BRT) system along Route 1 would be a better alternative than building Route 92.
Inverso, in a statement Thursday, said he met with NJ Transit, which has been studying whether to build a BRT system along Route 1, and embraced the idea.
"I am calling on the leaders of the transportation community to consider this project as a potential alternative to the expensive and environmentally disruptive Route 92 toll road," Inverso said.
The long-proposed 6.7-mile Route 92 would link New Jersey Turnpike Exit 8A in Monroe to Route 1 in South Brunswickand cost about $400 million to build.
Supporters contend it would alleviate traffic congestion and spur economic development. Opponents argue it would destroy the environment and flood Route 1 and its connecting roads with more vehicles.
NJ Transit agreed in November to spend $614,000 to study the feasibility of building a high-tech mass transit system along Route 1. An April 2003 study by the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association found the BRT idea warranted further study.
The association's study envisioned the BRT line running along Route 1 from the Interstate 295 interchange in Lawrence to Ridge Road in South Brunswick. It predicted the line would attract 21,000 daily riders, with 20 total stations, including five park-and-rides.