New Jersey's Roadway Infrastructure Projects Escape the Governor's Budget Ax

By: Rosetta Key

Of all the state projects that have met the Governor's budget ax roadway infrastructure improvement isn't one of them. In fact, State Department of Transportation spokeswoman Erin Phalon says infrastructure improvement spending is on the rise. Phalon says the DOT has allotted $2.6 million dollars so roving maintenance crews can repair approximately 169-thousand potholes through out the state until June. She says that's a $100,000 dollar increase over last year's.

Phalon says in addition to pothole repairs, "We're also spending $5.8 million dollars on pavement repair, as well as $70 million on resurfacing and over $2.5 million on sealing cracks in the pavement."

Phalon says, "Roadway safety is our highest priority and we'll continue to fill potholes in spite of our economic challenges." She also says they're urging motorist to report potholes as they see them. She says DOT crews will respond to those reports and fix potholes as soon as they hear about them.

Phalon adds that easy-to-use reporting forms can be found on their site on the www.nj.gov website.