Gov. Christie Issues Executive Order To Fund 'Absolutely Essential' Road Projects

The directive was included in an executive order Christie issued Wednesday night. It also directed that funds be made available for projects that are required to ensure the receipt of federal funding.

The Republican governor said the move was needed because the Democratic controlled-Legislature has not made any "evident progress" to pass legislation that would replenish the state's depleted transportation trust fund.

"No evident progress has been made by the Legislature to pass a single, viable bill to reauthorize the TTFA," Governor Christie said in a statement.  "A well-maintained transportation infrastructure is essential to the operation of New Jersey's economy and the people who rely upon it in all aspects of their daily lives. The current situation will persist until the Senate and the General Assembly pass an acceptable TTFA funding bill. Until they do so, the State must use money from the General Fund for emergency road, bridge, and mass transportation work."

The order did not specify any specific road projects.

Christie had ordered a shutdown last month of most transit projects funded by the TTF after he and lawmakers couldn't reach a deal about raising the state's gas tax.

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