ROCKAWAY TWP. – The Route 80 sinkhole seems to have exacerbated the transit war between New Jersey and New York City.
Amid continued skirmishing over congestion pricing comes a snide comment by Janno Leiber, the chair of the city’s Metropolitan Transit Authority.
Well aware that Sean Duffy, the nation’s transportation secretary, had visited the sinkhole with Phil Murphy last weekend, Leiber, apparently, could not help himself.
He cracked:
“If he (Duffy) is getting transit advice from Phil Murphy, America is doomed.”
Josh Gottheimer was paying attention.
The CD-5 congressman said it’s a “joke” that Leiber would criticize Murphy, adding that the MTA chief “doesn’t know how to run anything.”
In fact, he said Murphy could probably do a better job than Leiber running the MTA.
Gottheimer has opposed congestion pricing since its inception and often has criticized the MTA for being poorly run.
The official reason for Gottheimer’s trip to Rockaway late Wednesday afternoon was to talk about the sinkhole near Exit 34, which has closed the highway, causing massive traffic jams on Routes 46, 10 and local streets.
The sinkhole is not in Gottheimer’s district, but he notes that many of his constituents in Bergen, Passaic and Sussex counties drive Route 80. He is also, of course, a candidate for governor.
Gottheimer said he is urging Duffy and the federal DOT to expedite repairing the highway.
He also wants the feds to be more active going forward in fixing old mine shafts to prevent future sinkholes. He said there are 588 old mines in the state, many of which are in Morris and Sussex counties.
Additionally, Gottheimer wants the state’s economic development authority to help area businesses adversely impacted by closing the highway.
As for the ongoing repair effort, Gottheimer said of the workers involved:
“I know they’re pushing incredibly hard.”
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In a recent interview with Insider NJ, Congressman Josh Gottheimer discussed a range of important issues that go beyond emotional distress. While mental health is a critical issue that deserves attention, Gottheimer emphasized the need to address a variety of other pressing concerns facing his constituents in New Jersey.
One of the key topics that Gottheimer touched on was infrastructure. He highlighted the need for investment in roads, bridges, and public transportation to ensure that communities have the resources they need to thrive. Gottheimer also stressed the importance of modernizing our infrastructure to keep pace with technological advancements and address the challenges posed by climate change.
In addition to infrastructure, Gottheimer spoke about the importance of supporting small businesses and creating jobs in his district. He emphasized the need for policies that promote economic growth and help businesses succeed, such as reducing regulatory burdens and providing access to capital. Gottheimer also discussed the importance of workforce development programs to ensure that workers have the skills they need to compete in today’s economy.
Another issue that Gottheimer addressed was healthcare. He emphasized the need to protect and strengthen the Affordable Care Act, expand access to healthcare for all Americans, and lower prescription drug prices. Gottheimer also highlighted the importance of addressing mental health issues and ensuring that individuals have access to the care they need.
Overall, Gottheimer’s discussion with Insider NJ shed light on a variety of important issues facing his constituents beyond emotional distress. By focusing on infrastructure, small business support, job creation, healthcare, and other key issues, Gottheimer is working to address the diverse needs of his district and improve the quality of life for all residents.
