Could American Dream Be Traffic Nightmare?
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - Could the American Dream complex in the Meadowlands end up being a traffic nightmare? The people behind the project have a plan to keep that from happening.
WCBS 880's Levon Putney reports
Podcast
The shopping and entertainment center formerly known as Xanadu could see up to 150,000 visitors a day.
"One seriously has to question whether of not this region is going to be able to handle this traffic," said mass transit advocate Janna Chernetz with the Tri-State Transportation Campaign.
Developer Triple Five Worldwide is promising a tremendous increase in direct bus and train service, but the question remains who's going to pay for it.
"We really need to see developer contribution towards mass transit," Chernetz told WCBS 880 reporter Levon Putney.
That's especially the case since NJ TRANSIT recently cut bus service.
A spokesperson for the developer said the burden is on the state to find more cash. But Chernetz argued there's no way for that to happen this late in the game.
"But at this point in time, where is New Jersey Transit going to get the funding?" said Chernetz.
Wednesday night will bring a preview of the kind of traffic woes drivers may expect once American Dream opens its doors.
Tonight's Jewish celebration at MetLife Stadium is expected to bring over 90,000 people, causing the DOT to issue a traffic advisory, and that's about 20,000 to 60,000 fewer people than American Dream is expecting per day.
The complex is scheduled to open in late 2013.
What do you think should be the future of the site should be? Sound off in the comments section below.
