MAYS LANDING — Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson says the county's larger network of roads and bridges is likely the primary reason it receives significantly more annual transportation funding from New Jersey than neighboring Cape May County.
Levinson addressed the issue Thursday on WOND's The Don Williams Show after questions were raised about the state's annual infrastructure grant program, which provides funding for county road and bridge improvements.
"It's for infrastructure improvements," Levinson said.
While acknowledging he does not know the exact formula used by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, Levinson pointed to the sheer size of Atlantic County's transportation network.
"Here in Atlantic County, we have 375 miles of county roads and 175 bridges," he said.
To illustrate the scope of the county's responsibilities, Levinson offered a comparison with New Jersey's major highways.
"If you took the Turnpike, the Expressway and the Garden State Parkway and put them end on end, we would still have more mileage," he said.
Levinson noted that Cape May County consistently receives the smallest allocation among New Jersey's counties but said the funding formula is established by the state.
"Cape May County comes in last," he said. "I guess there are many reasons why. I don't really know what formula they use, but the money is distributed every year."
He added that local officials have little ability to challenge the state's calculations.
"It's pretty tough to argue with the state because it's usually in cement after they make their determination," Levinson said.
The annual state funding is used to help counties maintain and improve roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure.
Levinson said the program remains an important source of funding for Atlantic County, which maintains one of the largest county-owned transportation systems in New Jersey.
Although Cape May County officials have argued their allocation should be increased, Levinson said he believes the extensive infrastructure Atlantic County is responsible for maintaining explains why it receives a larger share of the available funding.
"The money is distributed every year," he said. "It's for infrastructure improvement."
About the Author
Scott Stephens
Scott has been an on-air personality, producer and newscaster for 30+ years. He has been a mainstay in the South Jersey Community and on the air across many different area stations. Scott can currently be heard on Kool 98.3 and News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.
