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[roadman65]

Not great: Cost to widen N.J. Turnpike extension to Holland tunnel balloons to $10.6B

The cost increase was blamed on inflation and the cost to borrow money to do the project, Turnpike Authority officials said.

“Inflation and rising interest rates have an impact on nearly every project in the NJTA’s capital program, said Tom Feeney, a turnpike authority spokesperson. “The impact is greatest on projects like this one scheduled to be built over several many years. It is not unreasonable to anticipate that these estimates will change again as supply change issues normalize over time.”

This is already getting pilloried by many, as you might expect. A more than doubling of the costs of a project that is already unpopular and facing a ton of local opposition is not great no matter what way you look at it.

And MultiMillionMiler wonders why they extort tolls from drivers in NJ.

[Ted$8roadFan]

Not great: Cost to widen N.J. Turnpike extension to Holland tunnel balloons to $10.6B

The cost increase was blamed on inflation and the cost to borrow money to do the project, Turnpike Authority officials said.

“Inflation and rising interest rates have an impact on nearly every project in the NJTA’s capital program, said Tom Feeney, a turnpike authority spokesperson. “The impact is greatest on projects like this one scheduled to be built over several many years. It is not unreasonable to anticipate that these estimates will change again as supply change issues normalize over time.”

This is already getting pilloried by many, as you might expect. A more than doubling of the costs of a project that is already unpopular and facing a ton of local opposition is not great no matter what way you look at it.

$10.6B…..sort of like Boston’s Big Dig.

[roadman65]

If they do as thorough study on how to spend money as how to protect the environment, they could find ways to do this more reasonable.

Not to be sarcastic either here, but implying my thought here literally.  If the Hatfield's and the McCoys would develop a procedure that takes in every factor together, they could save us taxpayers a big bill in the end

[NoGoodNamesAvailable]

Taxpayers have nothing to do with this. The Turnpike Authority runs off toll revenue and not taxes.

And if you're going to bother to mobilize and rebuild the entire bridge and viaduct, it's actually stupid to not spend the little extra to widen it.

[Rothman]

The "little extra" is a heckuva understatement. 

[roadman65]

Taxpayers have nothing to do with this. The Turnpike Authority runs off toll revenue and not taxes.

And if you're going to bother to mobilize and rebuild the entire bridge and viaduct, it's actually stupid to not spend the little extra to widen it.

Never said it did. Responding to the latest troll who believes tolls are way to high in NJ with tolls in PA to be only applied on straight roads and winding freeways should be free, and I-80 needs to end in Providence.

Then the politicians still do have a say in bureaucratic matters which even the NJTA is influenced by politics despite not being state government.

[jeffandnicole]

Taxpayers have nothing to do with this. The Turnpike Authority runs off toll revenue and not taxes.

And if you're going to bother to mobilize and rebuild the entire bridge and viaduct, it's actually stupid to not spend the little extra to widen it.

Never said it did. Responding to the latest troll who believes tolls are way to high in NJ with tolls in PA to be only applied on straight roads and winding freeways should be free, and I-80 needs to end in Providence.

Then the politicians still do have a say in bureaucratic matters which even the NJTA is influenced by politics despite not being state government.

Since the Governor can veto the board meeting's minutes that approve the projects, in a way there can be some taxpayer influence. But this action rarely happens.

[roadman65]

Not taxpayer, but  political. Two different things. Bureaucrats are very much motivated by politics as much as anyone these days.

[jeffandnicole]

Not taxpayer, but  political. Two different things. Bureaucrats are very much motivated by politics as much as anyone these days.

The point being, the taxpayers can call the Governor's office and try to persuade the governor to veto the minutes to the meeting.  It's a route that most people who are against a project have no clue it's an available avenue, and the Governor will probably ignore those that have called, but it does exist as a last-ditch effort.

[Rothman]

Not taxpayer, but  political. Two different things. Bureaucrats are very much motivated by politics as much as anyone these days.

The point being, the taxpayers can call the Governor's office and try to persuade the governor to veto the minutes to the meeting.  It's a route that most people who are against a project have no clue it's an available avenue, and the Governor will probably ignore those that have called, but it does exist as a last-ditch effort.

Heh.  I am sure that happens all the time.