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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRockefeller: Port Authority Gave 'Zero Evidence' Of Legitimate Traffic Study
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) issued a statement on Thursday announcing that he had received a response from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to his questions about the George Washington Bridge lane closures. According to Rockefeller, that response contained "zero evidence" that the lanes were closed as a result of a legitimate traffic study.
The letter explains the careful planning and communication that should happen before interstate bridge lanes are closed for a traffic study or any other non-emergency purpose," Rockefeller said. "The Port Authority officials who ordered the September 9-13 George Washington Bridge lane closures did not follow their agencys own procedures. The Port Authoritys response provides zero evidence that the purpose of these closures was to conduct a legitimate traffic study."
Port Authority officials have previously maintained that the lanes were closed for a traffic study, an assertion that Gov. Chris Christie (R) refused to dismiss at a press conference last week. Democrats in New Jersey have argued that the lanes were closed in retaliation against the mayor of Fort Lee, N.J., a Democrat who declined to endorse Christie's re-election last year. The closures caused a massive traffic jam in Fort Lee.
Rockefeller sent a letter to Port Authority officials on December 16, before the release last week of thousands of pages of documents connected to the incident.
I am also disturbed by the evidence showing that the Port Authoritys professional and engineering staff raised serious concerns about the lane closure plan," Rockefeller said in his statement on Thursday. "They explained that the closures would cause significant congestion and delays, and would increase the risk of sideswipe crashes. It is unconscionable that anyone would block commercial traffic and risk the safety of thousands on our interstate highway system in this way."
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/rockefeller-port-authority-evidence
Governor Smug Blowhard:
Christie, repeatedly floated the possibility of a traffic study on Thursday. I dont know if this was a traffic study that morphed into a political vendetta or a political vendetta that morphed into a traffic study, he claimed.
http://thinkprogress.org/home/2014/01/09/3141121/christie/
This is the busiest toll brigde in the world and Christie shares control of the Port Authority with Governor Cuomo.
Experts see possible charges in NJ bridge scandal
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024336956
NJ Lawmaker Plans To Subpoena Christie's Chief Of Staff
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024340819
beachbum bob
(10,437 posts)do with this? For the most part, they still tend to be in Christie's corner. Worst yet are the so called "Democrats" who have supported Christie.
They need to recant or go...ASAP
ProSense
(116,464 posts)"no surprise but what will media do with this? For the most part, they still tend to be in Christie's corner. Worst yet are the so called 'Democrats' who have supported Christie. "
...media shills are irrelevant, and the Democratic tools have been trying to distance themselves.
N.J. Senate's top Democrat expects Chris Christie's popularity to drop
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024335244
ProSense
(116,464 posts)Crisp Christie.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)<...>
"You asked me, and I accepted, the task of leading this state for eight years, not four years. And no one, I can assure you, ever told me or anybody on my team that it was going to be easy," he said during remarks at Manahawkin, N.J.
"It hadn't been up to this point, and there's all kinds of challenges as you know that come every day out of nowhere to test you."
The New Jersey governor wrapped up the remarks with a pledge that made it impossible not to think of the ongoing George Washington Bridge scandal.
"But I want to ensure the people of New Jersey of one thing: I was born here, I was raised here, I'm raising my family here, and this is where I intend to spend the rest of my life," Christie said. "And whatever test they put in front of me, I will meet those tests because I'm doing it on your behalf."
- more -
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/chris-christie-sandy-speech-whatever-test
ProSense
(116,464 posts)flamingdem
(39,332 posts)These people are clowns, don't they know how to cover their clown rears?
Unreal and totally deserving of years in the pen!
Mc Mike
(9,115 posts)the repugs are going with their usual 'the cat ate my homework' excuse.
onwardsand upwards
(276 posts)Whenever anyone lifts a rock, there always seem to be wriggling maggots.
Lifelong Protester
(8,421 posts)So tired of the 'poor me, I'm a victim of my staff' crapola.
IDemo
(16,926 posts)How valuable is a so-called traffic study which severely restricts the normal flow of traffic as Toastie's did? Were they counting horn honks and swear words?
Helen Borg
(3,963 posts)Due to ambulance delays...