ASSEMBLY, No. 2899

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED MAY 5,1997

By Assemblymen BUCCO and CARROLL

An Act concerning suspension of certain restrictions on the use of Interstate Highway Route No. 287.

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

     1. Notwithstanding any law, rule or regulation to the contrary, the Commissioner of Transportation shall not restrict the use of certain lanes on Interstate Highway Route No. 287 to high occupancy vehicles until all highway projects on that route under construction on the effective date of this act are completed. The dates of completion of the pending projects shall be subject to the determination of the Commissioner of Transportation, and no rule or regulation concerning the restriction of lanes on Interstate Highway 287 to high occupancy vehicles may be enforced, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for violation of these restrictions, until the commissioner has determined that all such projects have been completed.

     2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

     This bill suspends the operation of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on Interstate Route 287 until all pending highway projects on that route are completed and prevents enforcement of any rules pertaining to those lanes during the period of the suspension, or the imposition of any penalties. This temporary moratorium will permit motorists using Route 287 the flexibility of using any appropriate lane on that route during the period of congestion and delay caused by the continuing construction of widening and noise barrier projects. The date of completion would be determined by the Commissioner of Transportation.

Suspends High Occupancy Vehicle lanes on Route 287 until pending highway projects are completed.