The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT)[1] is the agency responsible for transportation issues and policy in New Jersey. It is headed by the Commissioner of Transportation. The present Commissioner is Stephen Dilts, who was sworn into office as Commissioner on December 16, 2008, succeeding Kris Kolluri.[2]
NJDOT headquarters located at 1035 Parkway Avenue, Ewing, NJ.
As of 2007, 3,842 employees are under NJDOT.
History
NJDOT was established in 1966 as the first State transportation agency in the United States. It has been responsible for maintaining and operating the State's highway and public road system, planning and developing transportation policy and assisting with rail, freight and intermodal transportation issues.
In 1979, with the establishment of New Jersey Transit, NJDOT's rail division (which funded and supported State-sponsored passenger rail service) was folded into the new agency.
Until 2003, the NJDOT included the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which was re-established as the self-operating New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).
Since the 1990s, NJDOT has been phasing out many of the traffic circles in New Jersey.
Divisions, Programs and Services
Public Roads
NJDOT operates, develops and maintains the State's public road system, including Interstate, State and Federal highways, with a total of 2,324.01 miles (3,740.13 km) of State-owned and operated roads. Most major highways within New Jersey are under NJDOT jurisdiction, except toll routes including the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway (under the New Jersey Turnpike Authority) and the Atlantic City Expressway as well as the interstate toll bridges and tunnels.
Freight Planning
NJDOT develops interim and long-term plans and strategic policy on freight and shipping in and around the state. These intermodal policies cover trucking, rail, maritime and air freight.
Community Programs
Assistance to local communities and grants for transportation-related projects.
Engineering
Technical planning, design and research for projects
Railroads
The NJDOT was also responsible for funding and supporting passenger rail service within New Jersey and to and from nearby points from late 1960s onward, including procuring new modern equipment and rolling stock. The agency purchased EMD GP40Ps for the Central Railroad of New Jersey in 1968, the GE U34CH locomotives and Comet I cars for the Erie Lackawanna (1970) and Arrow electric MU cars for the Penn Central in 1968-69.
In 1979 NJ Transit assumed responsibilities for passenger rail in New Jersey.
References
- ^ About NJDOT. New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT). Retrieved 2009-07-19.
- ^ Staff. "Major staff changes in governor's office", The Star-Ledger, December 16, 2008. Accessed December 16, 2008.
External links
