Daily News Briefs, August 1, 2024

This is a Subscribers-Only area. If you are a subscriber, please login. If not...

Become a Subscriber Today »

Op-Ed: New Jersey Turnpike Expansion Program Will Keep State's Economy Strong

Greg Lalevee, the influential leader of a New Jersey operating engineers local, pens a NorthJersey.com op-ed column that provides an economic rationale for the state turnpike authority’s controversial, multibillion-dollar Newark Bay-Hudson County Extension Program. He argues that commuting and seaport activity are key contributors to the state’s economic vitality, and both depend on maintaining sufficient highway capacity to accommodate heavy traffic volume. He urges the public to support turnpike expansion, suggesting that project opponents risk “strangling New Jersey’s golden goose.”

Economic & Social Considerations Affecting Transportation New Jersey New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) New York City

Top


Bay Area Experiences Third Wave Of Toll-Related Smishing

San Francisco Chronicle reports, a third wave of smishing texts sent by toll agency imposters has hit the San Francisco Bay Area, according to Metropolitan Transportation Commission spokesperson John Goodwin. It started in June and continued through July. “This is a really long-running headache for toll operators and your average mobile phone customer,” he said, adding that transportation agencies are relying on law enforcement to deal with the outbreak. The article suggests the scheme is growing in breadth and sophistication, feeding on the expansion of electronic toll collection. Goodwin notes that fraudulent texts sent to Bay Area residents have been traced to websites registered in several places, including China and Russia.

Despite all the alerts issued by toll entities and law enforcement agencies, the scammers are still managing to catch some mobile phone customers unaware, as this Axios Columbus post demonstrates.

Transport Topics takes a comprehensive look at the texting crime in an article that includes input from IBTTA’s Mark Muriello and representatives of several state tollway agencies.

California Crime Beat ETC Systems FasTrak IBTTA Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Public Outreach And Communication San Francisco Bay Area (CA)

Top


These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.

If you’re not already a Daily News Briefs subscriber and you want a complete picture of today’s news, click here or call 717-991-2823 for subscription information. If you’re a newcomer to TollRoadsNews.com, click here.

Top