From not enough workers to not enough roads to a shortage of public trains and buses, South Jersey is in need of major infrastructure upgrades if it is to compete in the modern economy, local state legislators said Friday.
State Sens. Michael Testa and Vince Polistina and others discussed the issue during the Southern New Jersey Development Council’s 40th annual Sound Off for South Jersey Legislative Conference on Friday at Resorts Casino Hotel.
Two panels including different groups of lawmakers, all from South Jersey, said the region’s challenges are diversifying the economy while still supporting the tourism industry, adding roads for safety and convenience, and adding infrastructure to make the area safer and more people transportable, especially in rural areas.
Testa, R-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, said his district needs a completed Route 55. Built in the 1960s and ‘70s, the state highway was originally designed to lead into Cape May County. However, environmental issues kept the road from being built to its full length. The 40-mile highway is four lanes through Cumberland and Gloucester counties but shrinks back to a two-lane state highway when it turns into Route 47 near Cumberland County’s border with Cape May County. For years, lawmakers have pressed for the highway to be extended to the Jersey Shore through Cape May County, with little to show for it.
Sen. Troy Singleton, D-Burlington, who joined Testa on a panel, said his district needs improved public transportation options, including rail service between Glassboro, Gloucester County, and Camden.