Ex-Warren Freeholder Condemns I-80 Rockfall Mitigation Project

WARREN COUNTY, NJ — Prior to retiring last month, former Freeholder Director Richard D. Gardner issued a letter condemning the New Jersey Department of Transportation's I-80 Rockfall Mitigation Project.

According to a county news release, Gardner's letter was sent to a list of federal, state and local officials on both sides of the Delaware River, as the proposed project at the Delaware Water Gap would have profound effects on New Jersey and Pennsylvania residents alike.

The NJDOT claims the I-80 Rockfall Mitigation Project is designed to improve the safety and mobility of the traveling public by reducing the frequency and severity of rockfall events impacting the roadway while at the same time balancing the needs of the surrounding area. Gardner, however, isn't buying it.

"DOT’s claim to this $65 million project is the need to prevent rockfalls onto I-80," Gardner wrote, continuing, "Rockfalls on I-80 are actually a rare occurrence. It begs the question, why is our state DOT so gung-ho to charge ahead and spend tens of millions of taxpayers’ money on this project. Is there not legislative oversight? Does Governor Phil Murphy know how his DOT is operating and does he care about the negative impacts of this scheduled project?"

An outspoken coalition that opposes the project echoed Gardner's sentiments. On the group's Change.org page, they argue that the "plan lacks justification of imminent danger from rockfall for such an enormously damaging, costly and inefficient project that will last for years."

Gardner, who enjoyed an 18-year career as a Warren County Freeholder before stepping down, wrote that the project may cause more harm to the motoring public than it could ever mitigate. He added the NJDOT should instead plan to realign the S-Curve on I-80, "which is a genuine problem and site of many accidents."

"Citizens of Warren County are becoming increasingly upset and in some cases outraged at the very thought of desecration to the beautiful vista of the Delaware Water Gap. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is one of the most visited national parks in the U.S. Has the NJ DOT even considered the significance of this natural iconic view shed from the standpoint of the motoring public, county and state residents and from the indigenous tribal nations?" Gardner wrote.

"If this project by the NJ DOT continues as per their plans, four to five years, this will cause nightmares for the motoring public," Gardner added.

Gardner signed his letter at the county's Wayne Dumont Jr. Administration Building, surrounded by photos showing the majestic view that county officials said would be compromised by the project.

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