ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – Potholes have made roads all across the region treacherous for drivers.
As WCBS 880′s Sean Adams reported, perhaps no roadway is worse than the Palisades Interstate Parkway — especially on one stretch that spans two states.
And part of the problem revolves around a battle over who should pay for repairs, CBS 2’s Weijia Jiang reported.
Drivers on the New Jersey stretch of the parkway have complained of a roadway littered with potholes, crags and long ravines of missing asphalt.
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Driver: NJ Stretch Of Palisades Parkway Like 'Driving In A Third World Country'
WCBS 880's Sean Adams Reports
Abdul Latif described the conditions he’s experienced driving through Englewood Cliffs.
“I think I’m driving in a third world country, actually. I’ve had two blowouts this month alone,” he told Adams. “To be reasonable, the whole Tri-State area. But this in particular needs to be addressed.”
Richard Sanchez of the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx was infuriated as he drove through Bergen County, N.J.
“It’s very rocky, and very holey, and just a terrible ride,” Sanchez said, “and then it turns smooth as soon as you get to Exit 5 on the New York State side. I don’t know what the reason for that is.”
In the 1970s, the New York State Department of Transportation took over the stretch of the expressway in New York. It was repaved nine years ago.
But the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, not the New Jersey Department of Transportation, maintains the 11.5-mile portion in New Jersey.
The head of the commission said his organization simply does not have the $14.5 million it would cost to repave.
“I wish I could,” commission executive director James Hall said in a statement. “But I can’t print money, so we’re subject to whatever the state appropriates.”
Hall said every year for the past five years, he has asked for funding from the state – specifically to repave the affected section of the parkway. But the money has yet to come through.
“They need to get it!” said Anthony Lopez of the Bronx.
The last time the New Jersey section of the parkway was paved – 18 years ago – the New Jersey DOT steps in. But department spokesman Steve Schapiro said that will not be happening this time.
“We do not have the resources to do that now,” Schapiro said in a statement.
The Palisades Interstate Park Commission owns to gas stations that bring in $3 million of gas tax a year. So why not use that?
“It can’t be returned to that commission,” said New Jersey State Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-Teaneck.) “The gas tax goes into a fund, as stated in our constitution – it goes to a fund to repair all the roadways in New Jersey.”
So it seems part of the pothole problem is a game of hot potato – who should, and can foot the bill?
State lawmakers insist something has to be done, Adams reported. But there is no clear answer, so the potholes persist.
And drivers said the government agencies had better figure it out, because the drivers are the ones paying – with busted wheels.
The operating budget for the Palisades Interstate Park Commission is $8 million per year. Nearly 80 staff members take care of parks, marinas, and daily maintenance for the parkway.
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Filed under: Consumer, Heard On 1010 WINS, WCBS, WFAN, Local, News, NJ News, NY News, Radio.com - News, Syndicated Local, Syndication, Watch + Listen Tagged: Assembylman Gordon Johnson, englewood cliffs, James Hall, Palisades Interstate Park Commission, Palisades Interstate Parkway, PIP, Sean Adams, Weijia Jiang 
