New Rt. 92 permits sought


By: Joseph Harvie, Staff Writer    
South Brunswick Post, 12/30/2004

Due to an involvement of wetlands, permits are needed to Route 92 project.

The N.J. Turnpike Authority has applied for permits needed to manage storm water runoff for proposed Route 92.

Turnpike Authority spokesman Joe Orlando said the authority is reapplying for previously granted permits that expired in March.

Route 92 is a proposed 6.7-mile, limited access toll road that would connect the turnpike at Exit 8A with Route 1 at Ridge Road. The permits are needed because building the road would involve filling wetlands.

The South Brunswick Township Council is opposed to the highway, as are the governing bodies of Hopewell Borough and Township, Montgomery, Franklin, Hillsborough and Rocky Hill.

Plainsboro, Cranbury, North Brunswick, West Windsor and Monroe are in favor of the highway.

Princeton Borough and Township, both of which have expressed support for the roadway, have passed resolutions supporting the idea of a regional roundtable discussion on alternatives to Route 92.

Many state and local politicians have said Route 92 should be re-examined in light of plans recently announced by acting Gov. Richard Codey to widen the Turnpike from just south of Exit 8A to Exit 6, where the Turnpike meets Route 276, which leads into the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Assemblyman Bill Baroni, whose district includes South Brunswick, and state Sen. Peter Inverso sent a letter to the governor on Dec. 7 asking that the money that has been set aside for Route 92 be used for the widening project. The widening is expected to cost approximately $1.2 billion. According to Mr. Baroni, approximately $270 million has been set aside for Route 92.

The South Brunswick Township Council has argued that the widening of the Turnpike and Route 1 and the extension of Route 522 to connect to Route 535 would eliminate the need for Route 92.