By Cindy Christy Fertsch
Governor Murphy confirmed the project to mitigate flooding on Route 40 into Atlantic City is on schedule.
“Given the outsized burden that this pandemic has borne on Atlantic City’s hospitality industry, working families and businesses in the region at-large cannot afford a halt to this project that directly impacts travel in and out of the City. These necessary flood mitigation improvements are critical to maintaining the long-term viability of Route 40 for the commuters, students, and visitors who rely upon it. Throughout this process, elected officials on both sides of the aisle have put partisanship aside to keep this project of local and state significance moving forward,” said Governor Phil Murphy.
“I appreciate Governor Murphy and Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti for their efforts, despite the pandemic, to keep this important project alive and on schedule,” said Senator Chris Brown, who continues to work with Commissioner Gutierrez-Scaccetti and Daniel Kelly, Executive Director of The Governor’s Office of Recovery and Rebuilding, after initially pushing the project with the previous Administration.
According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the improvements continue to move forward with the Final Design Completion and award to the contractor still set for 2021; construction to start Spring 2022; and substantial completion of construction expected in Spring 2025. The project will raise the roadway elevation by 2.5 feet between mileposts 59.5 – 63.4 while connecting the gaps between the sea walls under the roadway, and driving sheeting along West End Avenue.
“We appreciate Senator Brown staying on top of this priority project and working in a bi-partisan manner to make sure it gets done,” said Greater AC Chamber President Michael Chait. “In fact, there are 200 small businesses alone in the Chelsea Neighborhood that rely on that highway.”
“Senator Brown understands a flood-free Route 40 helps all businesses, including existing casinos and tourism businesses, while encouraging further economic diversification and development around Stockton’s City Campus and Bader Field,” said Brett Matik, President, Atlantic County Economic Alliance.
Aside from being a critical commuter and evacuation route, Route 40 provides direct access to the $3 billion Atlantic City casino industry, which provides over 27,000 jobs and supports a wide range of state programs for seniors; Stockton University’s Atlantic City Campus, which provides opportunities for students from middle class families and recently broke ground on its $4.6 million Phase II expansion; and access to promising economic development opportunities at Bader Field.
Brown added he received assurances from the Commissioner that NJDOT will keep three lanes out of four open during construction so there will not be a negative impact on travel times for working families and tourists.
“Since my childhood days, politician after politician from Atlantic City has promised to protect the Mile Stretch/Wellington Avenue corridor from the perpetual flooding that has constantly affected the quality of life of Chelsea Heights residents. Senator Brown has stepped in and helped fix a problem that other politicians only gave lip service to. This will have a positive impact on Atlantic City and Downbeach residents alike. Chris’ tenacity has paid off for all of us,” said Bob McDevitt, President, HERE Local 54.
As local residents know all too well, the area severely floods at least 20 times a year, even on a clear night with a full moon.
“Route 40 is supposed to be a highway not a U-turn. Far too often police officers have to line up orange cones and turn cars around because the intersection of Route 40 and West End Avenue becomes a flooded lake,” said Brown. “By listening to our local families, business and labor leaders on how important fixing this problem is to our area and by working in a bi-partisan manner, we are adapting to the new reality of rising ocean levels. If we do nothing to fix this problem or if we allow the pandemic to become an excuse for inaction, the flooding will be more frequent and severe, blocking our families from their homes and jobs while exposing them to more costly property losses.”
