The NJTPA Board of Trustees today approved three key documents that will guide the agency’s work over the next several years — the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), Fiscal Year 2022-2025 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the Air Quality Conformity Determination.
The long-range plan, Plan 2050: Transportation, People, Opportunity, presents a vision for the future of transportation in the region over the next 30 years.
“It prioritizes creating accessible and equitable transportation that addresses the needs of the people we serve, particularly low-income and minority communities,” said Morris County Commissioner Kathy DeFillippo, Chair of the NJTPA Board. “And of course, reducing crashes and ensuring the safety of all travelers remains a primary focus across all of our policies, programs, and investments.”
She noted that Plan 2050 was developed with extensive public engagement, which is reflected in the document. Commissioner DeFillippo highlighted several aspects of the plan in her remarks to the Board, including the focus on improving resiliency to storms, rising sea levels and other climate impacts; continuing a “fix it first” approach to repairing and maintaining the transportation system; improving transit; supporting active transportation, like bicycle and pedestrian improvements; and addressing freight infrastructure needs.
“I’m confident that Plan 2050 sets our region on the right course for the future,” she said.
The FY 2022-2025 TIP is the short-term implementation of Plan 2050. It is a fiscally constrained list of projects and programs undergoing various stages of work, including preliminary engineering, final design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction.
The Board approved the TIP. Warren County Commissioner Jason Sarnoski abstained from the vote noting the county’s ongoing discussions with the New Jersey Department of Transportation about concerns over a rockfall mitigation project on Interstate 80, which is included in the TIP.
Finally, the Board also approved the Air Quality Conformity Determination for both Plan 2050 and the TIP. This analysis confirmed that the projects and programs in the Plan and TIP meet federal air quality standards and do not worsen air quality in the region.
All of the documents, as well as a summary of public comments, are available at njtpa.org/Plan2050.