SENATE, No. 2352

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED DECEMBER 18, 1997

 

 

By Senator LIPMAN

 

 

An Act concerning the location of highway entry or exit ramps and schools and supplementing Title 27 of the Revised Statutes and Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

 

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

 

    1.    This act shall be known and may be cited as "Terrell's Law."

 

    2.    Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, a highway entry or exit ramp shall not be constructed in such a manner as to direct motor vehicles on to or away from a State, county or municipal highway or road on which there is an existing public or private school as defined pursuant to P.L.1967, c.271 (C.18A:1-1) located within 1,000 feet of the proposed location of the highway entry or exit ramp.

 

    3.    Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, a public or private school as defined pursuant to P.L.1967, c.271 (C.18A:1-1) shall not be constructed on a State, county or municipal highway or road within 1,000 feet of an existing highway entry or exit ramp.

 

    4.    A highway entry or exit ramp currently existing within 1,000 feet of an existing public or private school as defined pursuant to P.L.1967, c.271 (C.18A:1-1) shall be permanently closed with 30 days of the effective date of this act. Such ramp may be reopened at such time that the school is permanently closed and no longer used as an educational facility.

 

    5. This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This bill is named "Terrell's Law," in memory of 8-year-old Terrell James who was killed in a tragic accident that occurred near the Belmont-Runyon Elementary School in Newark, New Jersey on March 10, 1997.

    This bill prohibits the construction of a highway entry or exit ramp in such a manner as to direct motor vehicles on to or away from a State, county or municipal highway or road on which there is an existing public or private school located within 1,000 feet of the proposed location of the highway entry or exit ramp. This bill also prohibits the construction of a public or private school on a State, county or municipal highway or road within 1,000 feet of an existing highway entry or exit ramp. Such construction presents a threat to public safety.

    In addition, this bill requires the closure of any highway entry or exit ramp located within 1,000 feet of an existing public or private school. The bill requires that the closure of such a ramp occur within 30 days of the effective date of this act.

 

 

                             

 

Concerns location of highway entry or exit ramps and schools.