NYC CBD Tolling Update

The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) released an updated report on the planned New York City Central Business District (CBD) tolling program. The proposed toll rates are separated by E-ZPass and Toll by Mail customers, peak and off-peak hours, and the type of vehicle entering the zone. E-ZPass holders entering the zone between the "peak hours" of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays and between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on the weekends will be charged $15 for most passenger cars, pickups, and vans. Trucks and buses will pay between $24-$36 and motorcycles will pay $7.50.  During off-peak hours, rates will be reduced by 75% for all vehicles. For E-ZPass commuters who enter the CBD using the Lincoln Tunnel or Holland Tunnel, the once per day toll will be $10 for passenger vehicles, $12-16 for trucks and buses, and $5 for motorcycles. Using January 7, 2024 rates from the Port Authority, it will cost a passenger vehicle $25.38 to enter Manhattan using the Lincoln Tunnel during peak hours when congestion pricing goes into effect. The MTA Bridge and Tunnel Authority is currently accepting public comment on the proposed toll rates through March 11, 2024. Visit the NYC CBD Tolling website for more info.

Monmouth Paths Study Adds Interactive Map!

In collaboration with Stantec and FHI Studio, the Monmouth Paths: Access for All study team has released an interactive map which allows local residents and visitors to provide input on their transportation experiences throughout Monmouth County. This public application allows residents to share their specific travel needs, which will assist in developing recommendations for improving transportation policies, access, and infrastructure. The tool is an effective way for residents to accurately label how and where they are experiencing mobility issues. The more who participate and provide information through the tool, the better study will apply to our local communities and environment. The study team will hold a virtual public meeting tonight February 12 over Zoom. Contact Monmouth County for additional information and ways to get involved. Click here to visit the study website.

Gateway Tunnel Project Breaks Ground in NJ

A moment that many Tri-State commuters have been eagerly anticipating took place on November 30, 2023, when the U.S. Department of Transportation broke ground with state officials on the Hudson Tunnel Project. The first step will be to construct a road bridge that will carry traffic on Routes 1 and 9 over the mouth of the new tunnel project. The new Hudson tunnel has been making progress as New Jersey aims to boost the connectivity of the Northeast Corridor. Funding for the project has been years in the making after the then called "Access to the Regions Core" (ARC) project was shut down by Governor Chris Christie in 2010. Funding for the project will come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021. This project aims to "improve reliability, resiliency, and redundancy" for thousands of Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT passengers who depend on rail transit every day. Additionally, these ridership demands may increase once NYC implements its Congestion Tolling program in Spring 2024. This new tunnel will create an additional entry point to Manhattan and will improve the existing capacity for rail transit from Monmouth County to the New York City area.

South Amboy Ferry and Terminal

In October of 2023, South Amboy celebrated the opening of its ferry service to New York City. A shuttle will provide service to and from surrounding areas of South Amboy, Parlin, and Sayreville, as well as for customers in Manhattan. Morning shuttle service will run between 4:40 a.m. - 8:35 a.m. and afternoon service will operate from 4:25 p.m. to 8:25 p.m., with the first boat leaving South Amboy at 5:45 a.m. The ferry will dock at 100 Radford Ferry Road just around the corner from the South Amboy train station. A temporary trailer has been set up to sell ferry tickets and funding has been secured to build a floating dock for the ferry terminal. Funding through the Federal Transit Administration Passenger Ferry Grant Program includes nearly $7 million to NJ TRANSIT on behalf of NY Waterway to convert two diesel powered engines to battery powered and supplemental charging equipment with the aim to reach a 100% hybrid fleet in the next decade. An additional $6 million was made available to the City of South Amboy for completion of the floating dock and other upgrades to the ferry port. “It’s great to see South Amboy receive more federal funding to support the city’s new passenger ferry. The floating dock system will make the ferry more accessible to passengers and bolster the dock’s resilience against fluctuating tides and flooding events,” said U.S. Representative Frank Pallone. This new service will provide an additional option for Monmouth County residents to get to New York City.

Port Authority Supply Chain Solution

Port Newark is one of the busiest ports in the Northeast, and NJ residents are all too familiar dealing with the large volume of tractor trailers in the area. According to the Port Authority of NY/NJ (PANYNJ), this traffic can be attributed to road geometry. The turning radius of an 18-wheeler is much larger than a regular car which requires adequate space to make turns. This can be exceedingly difficult when hauling tons of cargo in a high-volume area where the road infrastructure was built 70 years ago.     The result of slow turns creates a ripple effect, causing drivers to brake quickly which forces the vehicle behind them to also come to sudden stops. This action repeats itself until traffic is permanently stopped from the action of a truck making a tight turn. The PANYNJ plans to invest $176 million over the next 10 years to improve intersections, interchanges, and to reconstruct certain roadways. These changes aim to reduce crashes and injuries by 37%. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has added $450 million in funding over the next 5 years for federal ports across the country to improve the flow of goods from container ships to trucks and trains in order to reduce impacts to traffic flow in high-volume areas.

Do You Have an Interesting Transportation Photo Taken Around Monmouth County?

Monmouth County is currently accepting photo submissions for use and credit in public-facing items like the Monmouth County At-a-Glance, regional studies, and other uses in the future. If you have a picture of an interesting transportation feature in the County and  you want the opportunity to have the picture in a county project, submit here.

Upcoming Events

Monmouth Paths Study Virtual Public Meeting: February 12th from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. via ZOOM. Click here to find the meeting info.

Monmouth County Transportation Council Meeting: February 13th, at 7 p.m. to be held in person with a virtual option. Click here to find the meeting info.

NJ Potholes

A new bill proposed in the Legislature would require the NJ Department of Transportation to perform an annual count of potholes. The new data report will give the State legislature accurate information to "better implement solutions" according to the bill's sponsor. It would also aid the State in accounting claims for damages caused by potholes that the department has settled. The State’s 2020 NJDOT report showed that 39.8% of state-maintained roadways were in good condition, 24.5% in fair condition, and 35.7% were deficient or in need of immediate treatment.

NJ TRANSIT Explores Transit Oriented Development Along Rt.9

NJ TRANSIT has kicked off a study that will examine housing development and public transportation along the Rt. 9 corridor in both Middlesex and Monmouth Counties. NJ TRANSIT is inviting the public to take their survey to inform them of your bus experiences and other improvements you’d like to see along the Route 9 corridor. They will also host a virtual public meeting on February 6, 2024. Visit the NJT Route 9 TOD study website for more info.

Updated Road Designs and Signage in the National MUTCD

On December 19, 2023, the US Federal Highway Administration published the 11th Edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD). The new edition introduces road design guidelines aimed at building safer roads in the future. The most significant change lies in how speed limits are determined on local and rural roads. The MUTCD now emphasizes consideration of the local community and its built environment, moving away from setting the limit to the 85th percentile speed of vehicles immediately after the road opens. The new edition also features additional road markings to enhance the visibility of bus-only and bicycle lanes, along with recommendations to physically separate bike and car traffic on roads and at intersections. The first edition of the MUTCD was published in 1935 and the last preceding version was published in 2009. Once approved at the State level, we can expect these proven safer design guidelines to be implemented in new and rebuilt roads across Monmouth County and the whole State.

Hoboken Celebrates Seven Years of Zero Pedestrian Fatalities As The Nation Sees Record Increases

As many cities look to reduce their pedestrian traffic fatality statistic, Hoboken is celebrating 7 years free of these tragedies. The Hoboken/Jersey City area has taken many critical steps to reach this goal. Greater visibility of crossways has been a key component to reducing traffic fatalities to zero, also known as a "Vision Zero" initiative. When vehicles are blocking the line-of-sight views at an intersection, the odds of a collision at that intersection are increased. Roadway coloring is another tool used to set firm boundaries and areas on the road for drivers to expect bicyclists and pedestrians. However, the most significant change in city policy was reducing the speed limit on local streets from 30 mph to 20 mph, so that if crash occurs, a pedestrian now has a 93% chance of survival, instead of an 80% chance. In comparison, the US as a whole has experienced a rapid increase in pedestrian deaths from record lows in the late 2000's. A recent New York Times article details an upward trend in pedestrian fatalities occurring at night and the possible reasons behind the trend.

Festive Road Signs on GSP/ NJ Turnpike

You have probably noticed the signs along the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike sharing some New Jersey influenced reminders. These festive signs have grabbed the attention of many drivers, leaving some to argue the signs are too distracting. The signs started out by advising drivers to "Click it or Ticket" and then progressed to give people something to chuckle about on their holiday commutes throughout the Garden State. "It's about making people read them, remember them, and drive safely," one NJDOT spokesman said. One argument is that reading the signs takes a driver's attention off the road, or that driver's slow down to take a picture, which is counter-productive to the goal the NJDOT is trying to accomplish.

Winter Travel Tips

• Don't rush, give yourself ample time to reach your destination.
• Pack an emergency kit including gloves, battery charger, snacks, and blankets.
• Check for weather advisories.
• Don't use cruise control on snow covered roads. 

Monmouth County Bridge and Road Projects

Monmouth County is working hard to maintain and upgrade key roadway and bridge infrastructure throughout the County. Learn which projects are under construction, review, or consideration, as well as how to get involved, on the Monmouth County webpage.

Participate With The Council

If you have an interest in transportation, we invite you to contact the staff advisors of the Monmouth County Transportation Council at transportation@co.monmouth.nj.us and find out how you can participate or volunteer with us.