Thursday, January 09, 2014

There WERE protocols for traffic studies. Did the Christie administration wander into territory without following protocol. Maybe?

Currently:

As of 11:34am, (click here) there's Construction on the George Washington Bridge eastbound between New Jersey Side/Lower Level in Fort Lee and New York Side/Lower Level in Manhattan. Right lane closed until further notice.

From a 2003 document entitled: Portway Extensions Concept Development Study Final Report

...V.1 ASSEMBLY OF EXISTING AVAILABLE DATA
Traffic data were requested and received from the New York State Thruway Authority, New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA), MTA Bridges and Tunnels (MTA), and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey and the CPIP consortium. The comprehensiveness and format of the data provided varied according to the availability from the various authorities. Data were compiled for the following locations:...

Page 2

...·  Route 21 between US 1&9 & Broad Street, Newark (NJDOT)
·  New Jersey Turnpike between Interchange 14 & 14A (NJTA)
·  New Jersey Turnpike between Interchange 14 & 15E (NJTA)
·  New Jersey Turnpike between Interchange 15E & JE (NJTA)
·  New Jersey Turnpike between Interchange JW & 15W (NJTA)
·  Verrazano-Narrows Bridge (MTA)
·  Goethals Bridge (The Port Authority of NY & NJ)
·  George Washington Bridge (The Port Authority of NY & NJ)
·  Holland Tunnel (The Port Authority of NY & NJ)
·  Lincoln Tunnel (The Port Authority of NY & NJ)
·  Outerbridge Crossing (The Port Authority of NY & NJ)
·  Pulaski Street at Port Jersey Boulevard (Jersey City)...

This is an old picture, but, an illustration that is valid just the same (click here).


Figure 15-1: Inductive Loop Detector System (Reference 12)

Usually traffic studies involve the placement of 'pressure strips' across a road.

Is there reason to proceed with an investigation. Sure. A government is laws. New Jersey is a very well established state with solid statutes. There are reasons for them and the fiasco that occurred in Fort Lee is a prime example. Lives were effected.

Did the people in the Christie Administration act maliciously? I don't think so and I would say so if I thought that. But, the fact of the matter is there should be a paper trail to a traffic study. If the administration decided they needed to conduct this emergently, then there is still this.

http://www.511nj.org/ (click here)

I take Governor Christie at his word. Why? Because his history dictates actions as a US Attorney acting against this exact type of corruption. Someone like Chris Christie doesn't change colors over night. He would break hearts if he changed that much after so many people believed he was a decent man. I am not saying all those hurt by such a change in character would agree with his policies, but, a person true to his values is hard to find. There is plenty of room for disagreement with his policies and politics, but, where this falls into the category of a violation of trust is if his public face was truly false. I have a difficult time believing he is that deceptive. He has to know that many State Governors have gone on to be President and the importance of morality, ethics and character is very important. I simply don't believe he would be this irreverent to the Public Trust. 

Regardless, of the integrity of the truth of the Governor, there were huge mistakes made and there were effects on people's lives. There needs to be a conclusion to this incident and a call for any others that might resemble this violation of the Public Trust in the state. Many reasons exist for exploring this including budget cuts and any personnel reduction. New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the nation. Procedures are important for very real reasons.

Governor Christie is correct. He should not be involved in the investigation because of conflict of interest.