TRENTON, N.J. – New Jersey spends more on its roads than any neighboring states no matter how you slice it.
A few years ago, the Reason Foundation stirred pot when it tabulated New Jersey’s state-controlled per mile road costs at $2 million. A brand new report from the Garden State Initiative (GSI) says the state-controlled lane mile cost is over $238,000; amazingly, that’s still approximately $41,000 per mile more than the next closest state in our region (Massachusetts, which spends $197,000).
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You can see the full report – titled “The Path to Saving $2 Billion on the Cost of New Jersey’s Roads and Bridges” – right here.
Recent gas tax hikes haven’t been accompanied by transportation structural reforms.
“I opposed the 23 cent/gallon gas tax increase in June, and I continue to oppose it today,” said Senator Mike Doherty (R-23) back in October 2016 when legislators battles over shoring up the Transportation Trust Fund. “Until we get a handle on why New Jersey spends significantly more per mile than every other state, any new gas tax revenues we raise would be wasted. I don’t think that’s fair to drivers.”
The GSI team says New Jersey could save $2 billion annually by bringing its spending-per-mile down to the level of Pennsylvania.
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